Didn't they want to reform Amestris into a democracy and then put everyone involved in Ishval on trial? I think that included them, but it's possible I'm misremembering something.

Edit: That's not to say it isn't apologia, this is just me trying to get the lore right. If it's meant as apologia it's super muddled, and that wasn't my takeaway as a stupid teenager. I think it was meant as a legitimate critique of imperialism and all that but the author is a lib so wasn't able to go all the way.