So what? In the "international of despots" there are - bound to be - squabbles and fallings out now and then. When the whole world had nothing but despotisms, great and small, were these despotisms at peace with one another? At peace - no, in kinship - yes. What is claimed is that they have more in common with one another than with anybody outside the circle.
Despots still could belong to different civilizations and democracies could fight each other too -:))))