One could argue that the Vatican City falls under a very similar classification as the Sovereign Order of Malta.

In a slightly different category (not being sovereign), Germany has a number of states-within-states.

We could also bring up the American Indian tribes, which are considered sovereign nations within the territorial borders of the United States. South Africa has a similar arrangement with a number of indigenous tribes.

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me neither.

how much recognition is enough? i dunno.

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The UN itself is a beast one day I wish to explore in more depth.. and we think the US government is corrupt and dysfunctional..

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SMOM doesn't have a UN seat, but there are a number of nations that have diplomatic relations with them. Must a nation have a UN seat to be a recognized country?

The only sovereign state not to hold a UN seat is the Vatican City, for what it's worth.

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?

http://www.un.int/orderofmalta/pos.html 

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SMOM has permanent observer status at the UN; it is not a member of the general assembly.

It has formal diplomatic ties with 104 sovereign states, official relations with another 6 (the so-called Inner Six comprising the European Community), and membership in the International Red Cross.

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