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.
They weren't that large, and they were much larger before he came to power.
They also served a diplomatic purpose.
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
I don't see much difference. Under either regime you are a "hewer of wood and a drawer of water" - and far more Christians live and work in Saudi Arabia than ever did in Hussein's Iraq.
They are quasi-permanent residents, not citizens.