Middle East leader equally despondent (5)
I believe the answer is:
assad
'middle east leader' is the definition.
'assad' can be an answer for 'leader' (I have seen 'Arab leader' mean 'assad' so perhaps 'leader' could also mean 'assad'). I am unsure of the 'middle east' bit.
'equally despondent' is the wordplay.
'equally' becomes 'as' (synonyms).
'despondent' becomes 'sad' (I've seen this before).
'as'+'sad'='ASSAD'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for assad that I've seen is " Arab leader".)