Symbolism

Ed Hoffman and his crowd represents Washington, the political machine and the political ends they are seeking, whereas Roger Ferris represents the soldier, the one who has to do the work.

If you consider Ed Hoffman and that British guy who was doing the programming of the accounts they are severely disconnected from the ground war. Early in the film it talks about the Iraq war but then it spends most of the time not talking about the Iraq war which is really only in the context of the films release. Roger Ferris on the other hand is working pretty much alone, trying to negotiate with these other gentlemen on the ground to secure the outcome. Also Roger Ferris is not seen as vindictive, or a machine of some sort, he wrestles with the consequences of killing and lying etc. whereas the Ed character is a 'whatever it takes' character who doesn't care that anyone dies in the process of getting the job done. Roger Ferris puts himself on the line constantly, sees the effects of the mission first hand. He doesn't hate the Middle East like Ed Hoffman does (who basically says there's nothing worthwhile in the Middle East and can't udnerstand why anyone would want to live there) meanwhile Roger Ferris has found the nurse lady and actually finds, contrary to EH view, that there are real people over there who have families etc. just like back at home. Any criticism about the girl subplot being a cliche is ridiculous, because the plot actually provides some balance and humanity to an otherwise cold movie, Ferris' character is allowed to develop and relationships form in contrast to the disconnectedness and abruption of Hoffman who is preoccupied with 'saving the world'. Ferris' marriage on the other hand seems to have dissolved which could be a criticism on him that he didn't care much for the life back in America, or a foil for his relationship with the nurse. Not sure but there is much more in this movie than meets the eye on the first viewing.