This photo illustrates the Cuba-Iran alliance

The Cuban dictator and the Iranian tyrant in Havana, Jan. 11, 2012. (Associated Press photo)

A reasonable first instinct is to ignore the photo above. The less publicity these two cowards receive, usually the better.

But on closer reflection, paying attention to this photo and others likely to emerge over the next day or so -- the Iranian tyrant will reportedly meet Castro 1.0 -- provides a chance to expose with whom they stand.

If you are the Cuban, you are defending a man and regime seemingly hellbent on launching a nuclear holocaust and which in 2009 crushed a democratic rebellion against the Iranian theocray.

And if you are the Iranian, you are vouching for a fellow dictator responsible for a record level of repression.

So at least with this photograph, the picture does tell the story.