Interesting idea that River was the evolution of what the alliance was trying to do.
basically they wanted to create docile people and violent people to make sure they stayed under control. But the "Pax" worked too well in both ways. So River was the next step in evolution. Someone who would be both docile and violent. As this guy puts it the "mouse" and the "wolf" in one person

ETA: After watching the whole video it is very well done. He makes some really good points and I can see where he is coming from. I had always known that River was "designed" to be a weapon, but had never connected it to the fact that they were trying to perfect earlier versions and capitalize on unforeseen circumstances.

Is that you Joss?