Ezekiel 29 & 31 – Who is the "despot one of the nations"? 2019

Ezek 31:11
therefore, I will give it into the hand of a despot of the nations; he will thoroughly deal with it. According to its wickedness I have driven it away.

Who is the "despot one of the nations"? That is Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was a ruler like this world has never seen before or since. He had total autocratic power over the whole known world in that day. No one else has reached his level of prominence. "He will thoroughly deal with it.. " This is in reference to Assyria, but could be Egypt also. Most translations are in the past tense in this section, so it is probably Assyria. Nebuchadnezzar is going to deal with Egypt.
The next four chapters cover prophecy dealing with Egypt. Some scholars are of the opinion that these prophecies are more significant than that of Tyre. They are indeed impressive, but may not reach the level of amazement attained by the prophecies of Tyre.

Egypt is one of the most ancient of nations. Egypt did not build walls since it had the desert for a defense. An attacking army had to travel hundreds of miles of desert before it reached Egypt. Even then, the only entrance was through the Nile River valley. That is the only place Egypt had to put up a defense.

Egypt kept it's prominent status as a world power due to these natural defenses.