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The Baathists took over in 1963, not 1958. Iraq was formally independent as of 1932, but were for all intents and purposes a British protectorate, especially on economic issues. The 1958 revolution was basically a communist seizure of power and there were no elections bringing anyone to power. The US worked with the Baathists to keep Iraq out of the USSR's sphere of influence and the 1963 coupe was the direct result of CIA meddling and has been admitted as such. I fail to see the relavence of Nasser's seizure of power in Eqypt with the Baathist's seizure in Iraq unless you want to open the discussion to US foreign policy in the late 50's and early 60's.
By the way, a coupe is not a "turn away" from democracy. It is the exact opposite - a seizure of power by a minority, usually the military. How can you say that the "people" rejected democracy when the military declares martial law and seizes the reins of government?
Your arguement still falls short of finding a free and fair election in the Middle East. Three coupes do not an election make, to coin a phrase.
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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin
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