The straight approach initially, then right tyrant (4)
I believe the answer is:
tsar
'tyrant' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'the straight approach initially then right' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'then' says to put letters next to each other.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
The first letters of 'the straight approach' is 'tsa'.
'tsa'+'r'='TSAR'
(Other definitions for tsar that I've seen before include "Formal rulings on Islamic law; was aft (anag.)" , "Rats to the Russian emperor" , "Russian ruler (S, not Z)" , "Title given to the kings of Bulgaria" , "Supreme authority" .)