The Current Discussion: Are we witnessing a pro-regime coup in Iran? What should the world do in response? How will the election aftermath affect Iran's projection of power into the Middle East?

We're probably looking at a gigantic electoral fraud committed in Iran, but that's not the core of the problem. Even if Mr. Ahmadinejad had won the elections fairly, his regime would continue to be an execrable tyranny. Democracy is a way to make collective decisions, but those decisions can be profoundly immoral and contrary to freedom, so there's no reason to accept them as legitimate.

Iran is ruled by a clique that -- in the name of certain religious prejudices -- oppresses women, persecutes homosexuals, fans ethnic hatred, attempts to destroy other states, as happens to Israel, practices terrorism and threatens its neighbors with developing nuclear weapons. As long as Iran and other countries (including Saudi Arabia) walk this line, the prudent course of action is to oppose them and develop a stout defensive strategy against their actions. Any other behavior is a perverse irresponsibility.