> But he signaled no willingness to bend on the first
> challenge likely to face him
Despots have no need to “bend”. They have Divine Right. It is everybody else that must bend the knee to them.
Tyrannical desposts not only won’t bend, but they will deal maliciously with those who suggest that they do.
Cheers!
“... calls for compromise, won’t budge ...”
Totally defines the man.