[AJ1998]

Can you explain how that makes it ironic?

[toyg]

Because it's not recognized as a State by Israel and a few other countries.

[rrr_oh_man]

It's a big game of cat, mouse, pride, and political points.

-> Around 30 member states of the UN also fail to recognize the statehood of Israel...

[tempestn]

And because that fact is quite salient in current geopolitical affairs.

[rrr_oh_man]

There are couple of entities in the game whose statehood is debated / contested.

[input_sh]

I mean, there is no "objective" list of countries everyone agrees on, nor how many are there in total. You're gonna upset some people regardless of which definition you choose.

[rrr_oh_man]

Absolutely

[Tainnor]

Taiwan and Kosovo would be some other examples.