Hossein Shariatmadari comes across as courteous and mild-mannered, smiles frequently, and sprinkles his speech with anecdotes and metaphors. But when it comes to his views, he can make Mahmoud AhmadiNejad, Iran's president, sound moderate.

The 58-year-old editor of the conservative daily Kayhan is the representative of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, and is one of the most influential voices in Iran. His stinging editorials are a must read for a glimpse into the fundamentalist heart of a powerful regime that is determined to defend the spirit of the Islamic revolution.