But what happens when we have an apocalyptic despot who believes their sole purpose on earth is to destroy their particular "Great Satan" even if that means sacrificing their own lives and those of all unbelievers?
When have we had that? What despots generally want is not a real apocalypse, but more power and more money. Our exemplar may TELL his believers he's into something else, but in reality he's all about himself.
And despots need staff. They hope that staff is reliable, loyal, and committed to gratifying them. But of course staffers have ambitions, too, and they don't include dying for some nutty scheme embarked on by a crazy leader.
So when things go too far, either the despot pulls back to safer territory, or the staff will deal with him.
