beside the fact other city-states wouldn't condone nor put up with that crap, plus there is also the scions (when they where in action),and of course the WoL.

unlike evil empire mcevil, all the city-states do a have some form of geneva convention type guideline. yes in times of war, governments could do heinous stuff, but normally if they do they are called out on it and those responsible for said crimes are often trial and excuted for their crimes. and please OP, stop trying to move away from the fact the the garlemeld military is straight up evil, like allagan evil and you simply want to join the bad guys "cuz their cool". just (wo)man up to it.