I've always read it as at least a little bit a comment on the Iraq war, but what's it's deal? It's the only anime I can think of that climaxes with a military coup, and its cool that mustang wants to put people on trial for war crimes, but then he gets in power and doesn't do it.
It's also just got a whole plotline about racism, but it feels slightly off? Like minorities are okay if they save your life.
This was a great write up! You really hit on something with the failed equivalent exchange of their mother and the idea of souls in replacement for the human essence that cant be measured in dollar store chemicals.
deleted by creator