The point was that in a geopolitical sense, we can make Arab states weaker by encouraging their oppression of their citizens by telling them it's bad to oppress their citizens.

If the manner of their oppression is ethnic, then encourage that. If it's gender-based, then encourage that.

So it was a racist and sexist point, aiming to use the misery of other people to enrich yourself (or, just for fun).

Surely telling someone not to oppress women and not to oppress an ethnicity can't be racist or sexist.

If your stated intent is to take advantage of systemic sexism and racism, then yes, you're most clearly being sexist and racist.