Reviews: Outlaws Inc hits nerve in Dubai and the Gulf

With the trial of so-called Merchant of Death Viktor Bout (above, and profiled in Outlaws Inc) approaching, sensitivities around his erstwhile ops base in the UAE are high. So it’s been great to get backing from two of the Arabian Gulf’s main English-language publications. While Esquire’s Middle East edition ran a larger feature and interview with me in its August edition, quality paper The National ran a really nice main review which, though carefully worded (and with the ruling families of Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah in particular anxious to preserve the hush around their relationship with Bout, who can blame them?) came down on the side of disclosure, saying: “Potter brings an immensely complex story in for a gentle landing. Outlaws Inc. is a thorough, well-sourced account of how the fly-by-night transport trade works.” Thanks all!