Iran: What's Next?

Reuters asks the right questions.

ARE IRANIANS LIKELY TO OBEY KHAMENEI'S ORDERS TO STOP THE DEMONSTRATIONS?

HAS THE REGIME LOST LEGITIMACY AND IF SO CAN IT REGAIN IT?

KHAMENEI'S MESSAGE WAS BACKDOWN OR CRACKDOWN, BUT CAN THEY AFFORD THE REPERCUSSIONS OF A CRACKDOWN?

WILL THESE EVENTS FORCE U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TO ABANDON HIS POLICY OF ENGAGEMENT WITH IRAN?

DOES KHAMENEI HAVE THE SUPPORT OF SENIOR IRANIAN CLERICS?

My view is as follows. Democracy and civil rights are worthy universal aspirations. But, in the case of Iran, we need to be careful for what we wish. Political instability in this volatile region can have unknown, significant, randomizing implications to the rest of the world. One of those implications can be increased terrorism and world-wide economic dislocation. Furthermore, I'm skeptical as to how truely democratic is the opposition. The US needs to stay out of even symbolic support of any faction in Iran at this time. Iran remains a dangerous country, and political instability is making it more dangerous.