You argue that the Iraqi government was not Islamist because Al-Qaeda supposedly did not approve of it.
You also argue that the Saudi government is Islamist, despite the fact that Al-Qaeda does not approve of it.
In fact, Al-Qaeda has tried to overthrow the Saudi government, while Al-Qaeda never tried to overthrow Hussein, but did ally themselves with his fedayeen after he was overthrown.
Clearly the Saudi government promotes their ideological agenda in the United States using their wealth.
Iraq would have done the same, I'm sure, had they the wealth and positive diplomatic relationship with the US that the Saudis have.
Iran would also do the same if it could.
Of course, by the criterion of Al-Qaeda disapproval, Iran's government would not be Islamist because of their heretical Shi'ism.
Do you think it was an accident that there were large Christian communities in Iraq until Hussein’s government was overthrown? The point isn’t that Nasser, Hussein, Assad, etc. are/were good people (you don’t find many of those in the Middle East), the point is that as a Christian or a secular Muslim, you’re better off under their rule than you are under Saudi-style Wahhabi Islam.