Middle East better off under dictators?

Nobody liked Saddam but you have to admit that Iraq and indeed the west was better off with him in power. That he was a murdering tyrant is cold hard fact, but at least with him we knew who we were dealing with. He managed to keep the waring factions in Iraq from this m slaughter and any attempt by Al Qaeda to try and overthrow him would have been met by the full force of the Republican Guard. Also, as a Sunni he provided a much needed credible threat to Iran which served as a nice way of keeping them in check and making sure their attention was split. With Saddam you knew what you were facing, a mad man with a moderately powerful ARMY. As I'm sure any military commander will tell you, its much easier fighting a regular army than a swarm of religious radicals infiltrating every aspect of civilian life. The west AT ALL COSTS must not allow Muslim countries to be run by radical Islam. Military dictators can be bargained with and contained, radical Isalm cannot. Your thoughts?