Mr Bout’s latest troubles started in March 2008 when he flew to Bangkok to meet Drug Enforcement Administration officials disguised as representatives of Colombia’s FARC guerrillas. He was caught on tape allegedly offering to sell them hundreds of missiles that could shoot down American aircraft, plus other weapons. The indictment alleges that Mr Bout conspired “to kill Americans” and supply arms to a “terrorist organisation”.

Selling missiles to the FARC so they can shoot down American aircraft would seem attractive to hardliners in Russia, even if not to the present Russian government. It also chimes with Russia’s efforts to help Hugo Chávez’s Venezuela, a foe of both America and Colombia.

Mr Bout may be past his prime. Some question his judgment in falling for America’s trickery; greed or boredom do not really explain why he took the bait. Others say that his cargo business thrived during anarchic wars of plunder that have, thankfully, subsided. That at least should be cause for celebration, not regret.

http://www.economist.com/node/17155738?story_id=17155738&fsrc=rss