Final answer:
Western-educated leaders in the Middle East erred by ignoring the region's religious and traditional cultures, leading to conflicts with long-standing societal practices and contributing to political instability. (option C)
Step-by-step explanation:
Western-educated lawyers, politicians, and soldiers who were in charge of Middle Eastern countries made the mistake of C. Ignoring the religious and traditional cultures of the Middle Eastern countries. This led to a variety of challenges for newly independent states in the region. As traditional powers like the Ottoman Empire weakened due to internal corruption, lack of technological development, and weak leadership, the impact of Western ideas often clashed with long-standing religious and cultural practices. European colonial powers pursued Imperialism, imposing their own social, political, and economic systems, believing they were superior and had the duty to teach their customs and Christian values. However, the imposition of these foreign systems often neglected the complex historical, cultural, and religious landscapes of Middle Eastern societies.