As an expert in international relations and global governance, I've spent considerable time studying the United Nations and its membership structure. The United Nations is an international organization formed in 1945 with the aim to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. It has 193 member states, which are sovereign nations recognized by the international community. However, there are entities that, for various reasons, have not been granted membership.

The United Nations has a strict admission process for new members, which requires the applicant to be a peace-loving state that accepts the obligations contained in the UN Charter and is able to and willing to carry out these obligations. Additionally, the applicant must be recognized as a sovereign state by a majority of existing UN member states. This recognition is often a point of contention and can be influenced by political, historical, and cultural factors.

Palestine and Kosovo are two examples often cited in discussions about non-member states. Palestine has been a particularly contentious issue. It has sought recognition as a state and has been granted non-member observer status by the UN General Assembly in 2012. However, it has not been admitted as a full member state due to a lack of consensus among member states, particularly regarding its sovereignty and territorial boundaries. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the international community's differing views on the matter.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, and while it has been recognized as a sovereign state by a number of UN member states, it has not been universally recognized. This lack of universal recognition has prevented it from joining the UN as a full member.

Another historical case is Taiwan, which was a member of the UN under the name "Republic of China" until 1971. Due to political developments and the One-China policy, the People's Republic of China replaced the Republic of China as the representative of China in the UN, and Taiwan has not been a member since.

It's important to note that the status of a non-member state can change over time. Political dynamics and international relations are fluid, and what may be true today might not hold in the future. The UN itself is a dynamic organization that adapts to the evolving global landscape.

In conclusion, while the UN strives to include as many nations as possible to foster global cooperation, there are entities that, due to a variety of reasons, have not yet become members. The reasons are often complex and involve a delicate balance of international law, politics, and diplomacy.

read more >>

They are Vatican City and Palestine. There are six other countries that are not members of the U.N. but are recognized by at least one country that is a U.N. member. These countries are Taiwan, Western Sahara, Kosovo, South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Northern Cyprus.read more >>