I totally agree with your assessment. But what should we do that's different from old Europe who looks the other way. The Middle East and Africa are full of the same type of dictators. It's hopeless to deal with them as human beings. President Carter tried the "good Christian" approach and was laughed-out-of-town. Reagan was the tough guy with Libya and achieved a better result over time. So, how should me manage relationships with the bastards. That's the trillion dollar question and I don't know and have never read a good argument.
I agree that strength in the only medicine for some of these monsters. Saddam got his just due, and that is good. However private citizens should not be starting banana wars just because they have a couple hundred K in the bank.