<P> Plot details on the illegal arms market, particularly regarding purchases for West Africa in early 1990s, are closely based on real stories and people originating from the former Soviet Union . </P> <Ul> <Li> The main protagonist, Yuri Orlov, is loosely based on several people . <Ul> <Li> His character as the world's arms dominator is based on Lebanese - Armenian arms dealer Sarkis Soghanalian . </Li> <Li> He shares his surname with Oleg Orlov, a Russian businessman arrested in Ukraine on suspicion of smuggling missiles to Iran . In 2007, Oleg Orlov was strangled in Kiev's Lukyanivska Prison during the investigation into his activities . </Li> <Li> TV channel History claims that Orlov's life is based on Viktor Bout, a convicted arms dealer notorious for smuggling arms and other merchandise through several aviation - company fronts . </Li> <Li> His background is loosely inspired by that of Semion Mogilevich, a Ukrainian - born suspected mastermind in Russian organized crime . </Li> <Li> The way he was imprisoned and later released resembles Edwin P. Wilson, a retired US intelligence officer who smuggled arms for Libya . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> The character Jack Valentine is partly based on Lee S. Wolosky, who doggedly pursued the real - life Viktor Bout as he sought refuge in various African and Middle Eastern countries . </Li> <Li> The character Andre Baptiste, Sr. is partly based on Charles Taylor, the President of Liberia until 2003 . </Li> <Li> The character Andre Baptiste Jr. is partly based on Charles Taylor's son, Charles McArther Emmanuel . The character wields a gold - plated AKS - 47, much like one found in the private quarters of Saddam Hussein's son Uday Hussein during the US - led invasion of Iraq . </Li> <Li> The character Colonel Oliver Southern hints at Oliver North, known for his involvement in the Iran - Contra scandal . </Li> </Ul> <Li> The main protagonist, Yuri Orlov, is loosely based on several people . <Ul> <Li> His character as the world's arms dominator is based on Lebanese - Armenian arms dealer Sarkis Soghanalian . </Li> <Li> He shares his surname with Oleg Orlov, a Russian businessman arrested in Ukraine on suspicion of smuggling missiles to Iran . In 2007, Oleg Orlov was strangled in Kiev's Lukyanivska Prison during the investigation into his activities . </Li> <Li> TV channel History claims that Orlov's life is based on Viktor Bout, a convicted arms dealer notorious for smuggling arms and other merchandise through several aviation - company fronts . </Li> <Li> His background is loosely inspired by that of Semion Mogilevich, a Ukrainian - born suspected mastermind in Russian organized crime . </Li> <Li> The way he was imprisoned and later released resembles Edwin P. Wilson, a retired US intelligence officer who smuggled arms for Libya . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Ul> <Li> His character as the world's arms dominator is based on Lebanese - Armenian arms dealer Sarkis Soghanalian . </Li> <Li> He shares his surname with Oleg Orlov, a Russian businessman arrested in Ukraine on suspicion of smuggling missiles to Iran . In 2007, Oleg Orlov was strangled in Kiev's Lukyanivska Prison during the investigation into his activities . </Li> <Li> TV channel History claims that Orlov's life is based on Viktor Bout, a convicted arms dealer notorious for smuggling arms and other merchandise through several aviation - company fronts . </Li> <Li> His background is loosely inspired by that of Semion Mogilevich, a Ukrainian - born suspected mastermind in Russian organized crime . </Li> <Li> The way he was imprisoned and later released resembles Edwin P. Wilson, a retired US intelligence officer who smuggled arms for Libya . </Li> </Ul>

Who was the lord of war based on