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'm unsure of the 'middle east' bit.
'equally despondent' is the wordplay.
'equally' becomes 'as' (synonyms).
'despondent' becomes 'sad' (I've seen this in another clue).
'as'+'sad'='ASSAD'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for assad that I've seen is " Arab leader".)