Section E16. International Recognition of Disputed Countries
2024 Global Survival Rank (GSR) by Dr. Ziva Rozen-Bakher
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Published: 30 April 2024
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Global Survival Rank (GSR) by Dr. Ziva Rozen-Bakher: Yearly Rank to Compare the Global Political Power among Countries, Alliances and Coalitions to Survive Long Wars at the Military Level, Economic Level, and Political Level
2024 Global Survival Rank by Dr. Ziva Rozen-Bakher https://www.rozen-bakher.com/global-survival-rank-zrb/2024
Dr. Ziva Rozen-Bakher
A Researcher in International Relations/International Business with a speciality in Risks for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), International Trade, and Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As) in relation to Security Risks, Political Risks, Economic Risks, and Strategic Risks
Section E16. International Recognition of Disputed Countries
Chart 13. Limited International Recognition of Disputed Countries: Number of Countries that Recognize versus Number of Countries that Do Not Recognize
E16.1 Taiwan
Taiwan - Republic of China (ROC); China - People's Republic of China (PRC)
Until the end of WWII, Taiwan was part of the mainland China, while after that, has started the conflict of ‘One China’ between China and Taiwan. Importantly, until 1971, Taiwan ROC was represented China PRC in the United Nations, while after 1971, China PRC started represented itself in the United Nations including Taiwan ROC that lost its vote rights in the United Nations. Since then, very limited number of countries Formally recognized Taiwan as an Independent Country because China cuts diplomatic relations with any country that violate the policy of ‘One China’ by recognizing Taiwan as an Independent Country.
Map 10. Regional Map of Taiwan
E16.1.1 Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Taiwan versus Sovereignty Claim by China
Table 96. Comparison of Taiwan versus China
E16.1.2 International Recognition of Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Taiwan
Map 11. International Recognition of Taiwan as an Independent Country
Table 97. List of Countries that Recognize Taiwan as an Independent Country
E16.2 Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; Cyprus - Republic of Cyprus
Cyprus was annexed by 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 UK, while in 196o, United Cyprus gained independence from UK when Greece and Turkey agreed to abandon their demand for sovereignty on the island, still, UK keeps until today two military bases on the island as two colonies: Akrotiri and Dhekelia. However, in 1974, occurred a coup d'état in trying to annex the island to Greece, which in respond, led to the Turkish invasion of Northern Cyprus. Eventually, in 1983, Northern Cyprus made self-declaration of independence, which until today is recognized only by Turkey.
Map 12. Map of Northern Cyprus and Cyprus
E16.2.1 Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Northern Cyprus versus Sovereignty Claim by Cyprus
Table 98. Comparison of Northern Cyprus and Cyprus
E16.2.2 International Recognition of Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Northern Cyprus
Map 13. International Recognition of Northern Cyprus as an Independent Country
Table 99. List of Countries that Recognize Northern Cyprus as an Independent Country
E16.3 Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Republic of Abkhazia; Republic of South Ossetia; Georgia
Abkhazia and South Ossetia were part of the Soviet Georgia, but at 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, that eventaully, 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, recognized by the same several countries, namely Russia and its allies.
Map 14. Regional Map of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
E16.3.1 Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Abkhazia and South Ossetia versus Sovereignty Claim by Georgia
Table 100. Comparison of Abkhazia and South Ossetia versus Georgia
E16.3.2 International Recognition of Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Abkhazia
Map 15. International Recognition of Abkhazia as an Independent Country
Table 101. List of Countries that Recognize Abkhazia as an Independent Country
E16.3.3 International Recognition of Self-Declaration of Independent Country by South Ossetia
Map 16. International Recognition of South Ossetia as an Independent Country
Table 102. List of Countries that Recognize South Ossetia as an Independent Country
E16.4 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 on Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic including on 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 recognized Transnistria as an Independent Country.
Map 17. Regional Map of Transnistria
E16.4.1 Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Transnistria versus Sovereignty Claim by Moldova
Table 103. Comparison of Transnistria versus Moldova
E16.4.2 International Recognition of Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Transnistria
Table 104. List of Countries that Recognize Transnistria as an Independent Country
E16.5 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 a 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 18. Regional Map of Western Sahara
E16.5.1 Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Western Sahara versus Sovereignty Claim by Morocco
Table 105. Comparison of Western Sahara versus Morocco
E16.5.2 International Recognition of Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Western Sahara
Map 19. International Recognition of Western Sahara as an Independent Country
Table 106. List of Countries that Recognize Western Sahara as an Independent Country
E16.6 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 arise between the Albanians and Serbs within Kosovo that eventually led to the Kosovo War in 1998-1999, which finally led to establishment of UN peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. In 2008, Kosovo made Self-Declaration of Independent Country, which gained recognition from many countries, especially from countries that belong to the USA Coalition, but despite it, until today, Serbia claims Sovereignty on Kosovo.
Map 20. Map of Former Yugoslavia
Map 21. Regional Map of Kosovo
E16.6.1 Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Kosovo versus Sovereignty Claim by Serbia
Table 107. Comparison of Kosovo versus Serbia
E16.6.2 International Recognition of Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Kosovo
Map 22. International Recognition of Kosovo as an Independent Country
Table 108. List of Countries that Recognize Kosovo as an Independent Country
E16.7 Somaliland
Somaliland - Republic of Somaliland; Puntland - Puntland State of Somalia; Somalia
Somaliland was a British Colony from 1903-1960 when UK granted Independency for the State of Somaliland, that shortly after that, merged with Somalia and became part of Somalia. However, in 1991, Somaliland made a Self-Declaration of an Independent Country, which until today recognized by only one UN member, Ethiopia. Puntland is also a disputed territory that has a conflict with Somalia namely, in 03/2024, Puntland declared that it does not recognize any more the sovereignty of Somalia on Puntland, so under this new change, Puntland does not recognized yet by any country. Besides, Puntland have a conflict with Somaliland about a territory that currently considers under Somaliland.
Map 23. Regional Map of Somaliland and Puntland
Map 24. Map of Somaliland and Puntland
E16.7.1 Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Somaliland versus Sovereignty Claim by Somalia
Table 109. Comparison of Somaliland and Puntland versus Somalia
E16.7.2 International Recognition of Self-Declaration of Independent Country by Somaliland
Map 25. International Recognition of Somaliland as an Independent Country
Table 110. List of Countries that Recognize Somaliland as an Independent Country
