The thing is, many choices in the Middle East are between an authoritarian or theological regime. If you want to keep extremism at bay, then is most cases you have to install a dictator. If you let the people choose, they often choose a religious government that threatens western interests. We're stuck between a rock and a hard place
Uneducated people tend to chose the politicians based on advice from their religious leaders. This is the case with most of the Muslim nations (perhaps with the exception of a few, such as Albania). And that is exactly why these nations should be ruled by secular dictatorships. The people are not skilled enough to chose their own leaders.