you cannot rule a modern state as a medieval tyranny. All that you can do is remain one step ahead of chaos while faking out both your own people and the world as a whole.
And this is why dictators do not last long. Deception and clever positioning and good Propaganda is what allows a leader to stay in power for more than a few decades. Brut force only goes so far. @ironshield
the problem they have is with the world rule.
they still think it's possible.