It may be due to the strategetic location. I don't know that.
Take a look at a map of the Middle East. Suddenly, it will all make sense.

Also, I would just like to note that that United States has always set up puppet governments. In fact, it has never set up anything other than a puppet government. The argument that we are going to "give the Iraqi's freedom" is a bunk argument, because history has proven that to be false. Nobody invades a country or starts a war, so they can help other people. Anyone who believes that is living in a fantasy world.