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.
He doesn't do much to Marcoh. He threatens him some, but after Marcoh gives Scar the big flashback to Ishval and agrees to work with him Scar is mostly civil, iirc. Going after Ed is definitely fucked up, and you're completely right about his character arc, I was mostly just making the point that the only thing we see him do that's worse than a little morally dubious is go after Ed.
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