Section H5. Appendix V: Background about Non-UN Members with Limited International Recognition, 2025 Global Survival Rank (GSR) by Dr. Ziva Rozen-Bakher
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Dr. Ziva Rozen-Bakher
A Researcher in International Relations with a Focus on Security, Political and Economic Risks for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and International Trade
Section H5. Appendix V: Background about Non-UN Members with Limited International Recognition, 2025 Global Survival Rank (GSR) by Dr. Ziva Rozen-Bakher
Section H5 - Appendix V - List of Contents
Section H5. Appendix V: Background about Non-UN Members with Limited International Recognition, 2025 Global Survival Rank (GSR) by Dr. Ziva Rozen-Bakher
Section H5.1 Taiwan
Section H5.2 Northern Cyprus
Section H5.3 Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Section H5.4 Transnistria
Section H5.5 Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) (Western Sahara)
Section H5.6 Kosovo
Section H5.7 Somaliland and Puntland
Section H5.1 Taiwan
Taiwan - Republic of China (ROC); China - People's Republic of China (PRC)
Until the end of WWII, Taiwan was part of mainland China, while after that, the conflict of ‘One China’ between China and Taiwan started. Importantly, until 1971, Taiwan ROC was represented by China PRC in the United Nations, while after 1971, China PRC started representing itself in the United Nations, including Taiwan ROC that lost its voting rights in the United Nations. Since then, a very limited number of countries have Formally recognized Taiwan as an Independent Country because China cuts diplomatic relations with any country that violates the policy of ‘One China’ by recognising Taiwan as an Independent Country.
Map 82. Regional Map of Taiwan
Section H5.2 Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; Cyprus - Republic of Cyprus
Cyprus was annexed by the Ottoman Empire in 1571 and most of the years after that until 1878, Cyprus was part of the Ottoman Empire. From 1878 until 1960, Cyprus was a Colony of the UK, while in 1960, Cyprus gained independence from the UK when Greece and Turkey agreed to abandon their demand for sovereignty on the island. However, the UK keeps two military bases on the island as two colonies to this day: Akrotiri and Dhekelia. Nevertheless, in 1974, a coup d'état occurred in an attempt to annex the island to Greece, which, in response, led to the Turkish invasion of Northern Cyprus. Eventually, in 1983, Northern Cyprus made a self-declaration of independence, which until today is recognised only by Turkey.
Map 83. Map of Northern Cyprus and Cyprus
Section H5.3 Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Republic of Abkhazia; Republic of South Ossetia; Georgia
Abkhazia and South Ossetia were part of Soviet Georgia, but in the last years of the Soviet Union era, the two regions got autonomy within Soviet Georgia. However, in 1990, Georgia disbanded the status of Autonomous Oblast of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which led to the South Ossetia War and Abkhazia War, which eventually led to the Self-Declaration of Independence of South Ossetia in 1992, while to the Self-Declaration of Independence of Abkhazia in 1994. Abkhazia and South Ossetia, both of them, are recognised by the same several countries, namely Russia and its allies.
Map 84. Regional Map of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Section H5.4 Transnistria
Transnistria - Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR); Moldova - Republic of Moldova
From 1924 until WWII, Transnistria was part of the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, an Autonomous that was part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. In WWII, the Soviet Union took control of the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, including Transnistria. During the dissolution of the Soviet Union, in 1990, Transnistria declared independence from Moldova, which led, in 1992, to the War of Transnistria with Moldova. Since then, only Abkhazia and South Ossetia recognised Transnistria as an Independent Country.
Map 85. Transnistria
Section H5.5 Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) (Western Sahara)
Western Sahara - Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR); Morocco
Western Sahara was a Colony of Spain until 1975 when it was transferred to joint administration control by Morocco and Mauritania. However, immediately after that, a war erupted between those countries and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), yet in 1979, Mauritania withdrew its claims, while Morocco secured de facto control of most of the territory, despite that the UN considers the SADR as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people with the right to self-determination. Hence, Western Sahara is considered both as a Disputed Territory and as a Disputed Country, because about 80% of the Territory is occupied by Morocco, while about 20% of the Territory is controlled by Western Sahara (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic).
Map 86. Western Sahara
Section H5.6 Kosovo
Kosovo - Republic of Kosovo; Serbia
At the end of WWI, Yugoslavia established and Kosovo was an Autonomous Province within Yugoslavia. In 1992, Yugoslavia split into several republics, including Serbia that has Kosovo within its territory. However, over the years, ethnical conflict erupted between the Albanians and Serbs within Kosovo, which eventually led to the Kosovo War in 1998-1999, resulting in establishment of UN peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. In 2008, Kosovo made a Self-Declaration of Independence, which gained recognition from many countries, especially from Western countries. Still, until today, Serbia claims Sovereignty over Kosovo.
Map 87. Former Yugoslavia
Map 88. Kosovo
Section H5.7 Somaliland and Puntland
Somaliland - Republic of Somaliland; Puntland - Puntland State of Somalia; Somalia
Somaliland was a British Colony from 1903-1960 when the UK granted independence to the State of Somaliland, which shortly after that merged with Somalia and became part of Somalia. However, in 1991, Somaliland made a Self-Declaration of Independence, which is recognised today by only one UN member, Ethiopia. Puntland is also a Disputed country that has a conflict with Somalia, namely, in March 2024, Puntland declared that it does not recognise any more the sovereignty of Somalia over Puntland, but under this new change, Puntland is not yet recognised by any country. Besides, Puntland has a conflict with Somaliland about a territory that is currently located under Somaliland.
Map 89. Somalia, Somaliland and Puntland