View source for Puppet state

{{short description|State controlled by an external power}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{More footnotes|date=July 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Forms of government}}
A '''puppet state''', '''puppet régime''', '''puppet government''' or '''dummy government'''<ref name="Shuster"/> is a [[State (polity)|state]] that is ''[[de jure]]'' independent but ''[[de facto]]'' completely dependent upon an outside [[Power (international relations)|power]] and subject to its orders.<ref name="Marek">Compare: {{cite book |last=Marek |first=Krystyna |title=Identity and Continuity of States in Public International Law |date=1968 |orig-date=1954 |publisher=Library Droz |isbn=9782600040440 |page=178 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QaF7mnj9igkC |quote=[...] an allegedly independent, but 'actually' dependent, i.e. puppet State [...].}}</ref> Puppet states have nominal [[Sovereign state|sovereignty]], except that a foreign power effectively exercises control through economic or military support.<ref name="McNeely1995">{{cite book |last=McNeely |first=Connie L. |title=Constructing the Nation-state: International Organization and Prescriptive Action |url=https://archive.org/details/constructingnati00mcne |url-access=registration |access-date=13 September 2017 |year=1995 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-313-29398-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/constructingnati00mcne/page/61 61] |quote=The term 'puppet state' is used to describe nominal sovereigns under effective foreign control...}}</ref> By leaving a local government in existence the outside power evades all responsibility, while at the same time successfully paralysing the local government they tolerate.<ref name="Shuster">{{cite web|url=http://www.magepublishers.com/the-strangling-of-persia-a-story-of-european-diplomacy-and-oriental-intrigue/|author=[[Morgan Shuster]]|title = The Strangling of Persia: A Story of European Diplomacy and Oriental Intrigue|page=221|via=No Ruz in: Near East Journal, 21 March 1912}}</ref>{{how|date=May 2023}}

Puppet states differ from [[Alliance|allies]], who choose their actions of their own initiative or in accordance with [[Treaty|treaties]] they have voluntarily entered. Puppet states are forced into [[Rubber stamp (politics)|legally endorsing]] actions already taken by a foreign power.

==Characteristics==
Puppet states are "endowed with the outward symbols of authority",<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppet%20government Puppet government], Merriam-Webster</ref> such as a name, [[National flag|flag]], [[anthem]], [[constitution]], [[Code of law|law codes]], [[motto]], and government, but in reality, are appendages of another state which creates,<ref name="Raic2002">{{cite book |last= Raič |first= David |title= Statehood and the Law of Self-Determination |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=L7UOyPGYBkwC&pg=PA81 |access-date= 13 September 2017 |year= 2002 |publisher= Kluwer Law International |isbn= 90-411-1890-X |page= 81 | quote = In most cases, puppet States are created by the occupant during occupation of a State, for the purpose of circumventing the former's international responsibility regarding the violation of the rights of the occupied State.}}</ref> sponsors or otherwise controls the puppet government. [[International law]] does not recognise [[Military occupation|occupied]] puppet states as [[legitimacy (political)|legitimate]].<ref name="Lemkin2008">
{{cite book
 | last = Lemkin|first= Raphaël|author-link= Raphael Lemkin
 | title = Axis Rule in Occupied Europe: Laws of Occupation, Analysis of Government, Proposals for Redress
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=y0in2wOY-W0C&pg=PA11
 | access-date = 30 June 2019 |year= 2008
 | publisher= The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd.
 | isbn = 978-1-58477-901-8|page= 11 | orig-year = 1944
 | quote = The creation of puppet states or of puppet governments does not give them any special status under international law in the occupied territory. Therefore the puppet governments and puppet states have no greater rights in the occupied territory than the occupant himself. Their actions should be considered as actions of the occupant and hence subject to the limitations of the Hague Regulations.
}}
</ref>

Puppet states can cease to be puppets through:
* military defeat of the "master" state (as in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] in 1945),
* absorption into the master state (as in the early [[Soviet Union]]), 
* achievement of independence

==Terminology==
The term is a metaphor which compares a state or government to a [[puppet]] controlled by a [[puppeteer]] with strings.<ref>{{cite book|last=Shapiro|first=Stephen|url=https://archive.org/details/ultrahushhushesp00step|title=Ultra Hush-hush|publisher=Annick Press|year=2003|isbn=1-55037-778-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/ultrahushhushesp00step/page/38 38]|quote=Puppet state: a country whose government is being controlled by the government of another country, much as a puppeteer controls the strings on a marionette|url-access=registration}}</ref> The first recorded use of the term "puppet government" was in 1884, in reference to the [[Khedivate of Egypt]].<ref name="etymoline">{{cite web|last1=Harper|first1=Douglas|title=puppet (n.)|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=puppet&allowed_in_frame=0|access-date=1 June 2014|website=Online Etymology Dictionary}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=May 2023}}

In the [[Middle Ages]], [[vassal state]]s existed based on delegation of the rule of a country by a king to noble men of lower rank. Since the [[Peace of Westphalia]] of 1648, the concept of a nation came into existence where [[Westphalian system|sovereignty]] was connected more to the people who inhabited the land than to the nobility who owned the land.

An earlier similar concept is [[suzerainty]], the control of the external affairs of one state by another.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

==Nineteenth-century examples==
===French revolutionary and Napoleon/Napoleonic clients===
[[File:Europe 1812 map en.png|thumb|The [[First French Empire]] and its satellite states in 1812]]
The [[Batavian Republic]] was established in the [[Netherlands]] under French revolutionary protection.

In Italy, the [[French First Republic]] encouraged a proliferation of small republics in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, known as [[sister republic]]s.

In Eastern Europe, [[Napoleon]]'s [[First French Empire]] established the Polish client state of the [[Duchy of Warsaw]].<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40869047 | jstor=40869047 | title=The Adaptation of the Napoleonic Political Structure in the Duchy of Warsaw (1807–1813) | last1=Stanley | first1=John | journal=Canadian Slavonic Papers / Revue Canadienne des Slavistes | date=1989 | volume=31 | issue=2 | pages=128–145 | doi=10.1080/00085006.1989.11091911 | url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===British Empire===
[[File:British Indian Empire 1909 Imperial Gazetteer of India.jpg|thumb|Map of the [[British Indian Empire]], with [[princely state]]s in yellow]]
In 1896, Britain [[Anglo-Zanzibar War|established]] a [[Sultanate of Zanzibar|state]] in [[Zanzibar]].

==Early twentieth-century examples==
{{Main|List of World War I puppet states}}

=== Established by the German Empire ===
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Poland (1919–1928).svg}} [[Kingdom of Poland (1917–1918)|Kingdom of Poland]] (1917–1918) – The [[Central Powers]]' forces occupied [[Russian Empire|Russian]] [[Congress Poland]] in 1915 and in 1916, [[German Empire|Germany]] and [[Austria-Hungary]] created a Polish monarchy to exploit the occupied territories in an easier way and mobilise the Poles against the Russians (see [[Polish Legions in World War I|Polish Legions]]). In 1918 the state became independent and formed the backbone of the new internationally recognised [[Second Polish Republic]].
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Lithuania (1918).svg}} [[Kingdom of Lithuania (1918)|Kingdom of Lithuania]] (1918) – After Russia's defeat and the territorial cessions of the 1918 [[Treaty of Brest-Litovsk]], the Germans established a Lithuanian kingdom. However, it became [[Republic of Lithuania (1918-1940)|an independent republic]] with Germany's defeat.
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Courland (state).svg}} [[Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (1918)|Duchy of Courland and Semigallia]] (1918) – In 1915, German forces occupied the Russian [[Courland Governorate]] and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ended the [[Eastern Front (World War I)|war in the east]], so the local ethnic [[Baltic Germans]] established a duchy under the German crown in that part of ''[[Ober Ost]]'', with a common return of civil administration in favour of the military.{{clarify|common return?|date=May 2023}} This state was swiftly merged with the Baltic State Duchy and the German-occupied territories of the Russian Empire in Livonia and Estonia, into a multi-ethnic [[United Baltic Duchy]].

=== By others ===
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of the South West Caucasian Republic.svg}} [[Provisional National Government of the Southwestern Caucasus]] and {{Flagicon image|Flag of TRWT.svg}} [[Provisional Government of Western Thrace]] were provisional republics established by the Turkish minorities of Thrace and Caucasia after the [[Ottoman Empire]] lost its lands in these regions. Both were the products of the Ottoman Intelligence agency, [[Special Organization (Ottoman Empire)|Teşkilat-ı Mahsusa]], in terms of organisational structure and organisers, and they had remarkably common{{clarify|similar?|date=May 2023}} features.<ref name="Sirin">{{cite journal|last=Şirin|first=İbrahim|url=http://www.historystudies.net/dergi/tar201512901a7.pdf|title=İki Hükümet Bir Teşkilat: Garbî Trakya Hükümet-i Muvakkatesi'nden Cenub-î Garbî Kafkas Hükümeti Muvakkate- î Milliyesi'ne|trans-title=Two Governments One Organisation: From the Provisional Government of Western Thrace to the Provisional Government of South-Western Caucasia|language=tr|journal=History Studies |publisher=historystudies.net|volume=6|issue=2|date=February 2014|issn=1309-4688|doi=10.9737/historys1130|pages=125–142}} See translated abstract on page 125.</ref>
* {{Flagicon image|Socialist red flag.svg}} [[Donetsk–Krivoy Rog Soviet Republic|Donetsk-Krivoy Rog Republic]] (1918) – The state, remotely controlled by the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian Soviet Republic]],<ref name="Harvard">{{cite web |title=Casus Belli: Did Lenin Create Modern Ukraine? |url=https://huri.harvard.edu/news/serhii-plokhii-casus-belli-did-lenin-create-modern-ukraine |author=Serhii Plokhii |date=2022-02-27 |publisher=[[Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute]] |access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref> was founded by [[Joseph Stalin]]'s close friend [[Fyodor Sergeyev]].<ref name="rbth">{{cite web |title=USSR's first AEROWAGON - and the dark story behind it (PHOTOS + VIDEO) |url=https://www.rbth.com/history/334071-ussrs-first-aerowagon-story |author=Yekaterina Sinelschikova |date=2021-08-03 |publisher=[[RBTH]] |access-date=2022-07-07}}</ref> However, the DKRR was disliked by [[Vladimir Lenin]]. The capital of the republic was soon overthrown by the Germans again, and after the Soviet [[Red Army]] regained control of the territory, the country was dissolved at Lenin's request.
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Central Lithuania 1920.svg}} [[Republic of Central Lithuania]] (1920–1922) – Dependent and fully incorporated by the Second Polish Republic in 1922.

==World War II==
===Imperial Japan===
{{Further|Axis powers of World War II|Collaboration with Imperial Japan|List of World War II puppet states}}
During [[Empire of Japan|Japan's imperial period]], and particularly during the [[Pacific War]] (parts of which are considered the Pacific theatre of [[World War II]]), the Imperial Japanese government established a number of dependent states.

====Nominally sovereign states====
[[File:Manchukuo map 1939.svg|thumb|Location of [[Manchukuo]] (red) within [[Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere|Imperial Japan's sphere of influence]]]]
[[File:Wang Jingwei and Nazis.jpg|thumb|[[Wang Jingwei]] receiving German diplomats as head of state of the [[Wang Jingwei regime|Reorganised Nationalist Government of the Republic of China]] in 1941]]
* {{Flagicon|Azad Hind}} ''[[Azad Hind]]'' (1943–1945), officially known as Provisional Government of Free India – established by Indian nationalists in [[Japanese occupation of Singapore|Singapore]] in October 1943 by [[Subhas Chandra Bose]] and was in charge of Indian expatriates and military personnel in Japanese Southeast Asia. It had nominal sovereignty over Axis controlled Indian territories and would enjoy the prospective control of Indian territory to be captured in a [[Operation U-Go|future invasion]] of British India. Of the territory of post-independence India, the government took charge of [[Kohima]] (after it fell to the Japanese-INA offensive), parts of [[Manipur]] that fell to both the [[Fifteenth Army (Japan)|Japanese 15th Army]] and the INA, and the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]. The government had diplomatic relationships with eleven countries including Germany, Italy, Japan, Philippines, and the Soviet Union. It was headed by Subhas Chandra Bose, who was the Head of the State and Prime Minister, who was also the Supreme Commander of the [[Indian National Army]]. The government had its own cabinet and banks. 
* {{Flagicon|State of Burma}} [[State of Burma]] (1942–1945) – Head of State: [[Ba Maw]]
* {{Flagicon|Second Philippine Republic}} [[Second Philippine Republic]] (1943–1945) – Headed by [[Jose P. Laurel]] as [[President of the Philippines|President]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Empire of Vietnam (1945).svg}} [[Empire of Vietnam]] (1945) – Emperor [[Bảo Đại]]'s regime with [[Trần Trọng Kim]] as Prime Minister after proclaiming independence from France
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Cambodia under French protection.svg}} [[Kingdom of Kampuchea (1945)]] – King [[Norodom Sihanouk]]'s regime with [[Son Ngoc Thanh]] as Prime Minister after proclaiming independence from France
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Luang Phrabang Kingdom (1945).png}} [[Kingdom of Luang Prabang (Japanese puppet state)|Kingdom of Luang Prabang]] (1945) – King [[Sisavang Vong]]'s regime with Prince [[Phetsarath Ratanavongsa|Phetsarath]] as Prime Minister after proclaiming independence from France

===== In China =====
* {{Flagicon|Manchukuo}} [[Manchukuo]] (1932–1945) – Set up in [[Manchuria]] under the leadership of the last [[Emperor of China|Chinese Emperor]], [[Puyi]]<ref>Jowett, Phillip S., ''Rays of The Rising Sun, Armed Forces of Japan’s Asian Allies 1931–45, Volume I: China & Manchuria,'' 2004. Helion & Co. Ltd., 26 Willow Rd., Solihull, West Midlands, England, pp. 7–36.</ref>
* {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Jinbei.svg}} [[North Shanxi Autonomous Government]] (1937–1939) – Formed in northern Shanxi with its capital at [[Datong]] on October 15, 1937. The state was then merged into Mengjiang along with the South Chahar Autonomous Government and the [[Mongol United Autonomous Government]].
* {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Chanan.svg}} [[South Chahar Autonomous Government]] (1937–1939) – Formed in South Chahar with its capital at Kalgan (modern day [[Zhangjiakou]]) on September 4, 1937. The state was merged with the North Shanxi Autonomous Government as well as the Mongol United Autonomous Government to create Mengjiang.
* {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Mongol_Military_Government_(1936-1937).svg}} Mongol Military Government (1936–1937) and Mongol United Autonomous Government (1937–1939) – Established in Inner Mongolia as puppet states with local collaborators. This state formed the large basis of what was to become Mengjiang.
* {{Flagicon|Mengjiang}} [[Mengjiang]] (1936–1945) – Set up in [[Inner Mongolia]] on May 12, 1936, as the Mongol Military Government was renamed in October 1937 as the Mongol United Autonomous Government. On September 1, 1939, the predominantly [[Han Chinese]] governments of the South Chahar and North Shanxi Autonomous Governments were merged with the Mongol Autonomous Government, creating the new Mengjiang United Autonomous Government. All of these were headed by [[Demchugdongrub|De Wang]].<ref>Jowett, Phillip S., ''Rays of The Rising Sun, Armed Forces of Japan’s Asian Allies 1931–45, Volume I: China & Manchuria,'' 2004. Helion & Co. Ltd., 26 Willow Rd., Solihull, West Midlands, England, pp. 49–57, 88–89.</ref>
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of China (1912–1928).svg}} [[East Hebei Autonomous Government|East Hebei Autonomous Council]] (1935–1938) – A state in [[northeast China]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Great Way Municipal Government of Shanghai.svg}} [[Great Way Government|Great Way (Dadao) Government]] (1937–1938) – A short-lived regime based in [[Shanghai]]. This provisional government was established as a preliminary collaboration state as the Japanese took control of all of Shanghai and advanced towards [[Nanjing]]. This was then merged with the Reformed Government of China as well as the Provisional Government of China into the Reorganised Nationalist Government of the Republic of China under the leadership of [[Wang Jingwei]].
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of China (1912–1928).svg}} [[Reformed Government of the Republic of China]] (1938–1940) – First regime established in Nanjing after the [[Battle of Nanking|Battle of Nanjing]]. Later fused into the Provisional Government of China
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of China (1912–1928).svg}} [[Provisional Government of the Republic of China (1937–1940)|Provisional Government of China]] (1937–1940) – Incorporated into the Nanjing Nationalist Government on March 30, 1940<ref>Jowett, Phillip S., ''Rays of The Rising Sun, Armed Forces of Japan’s Asian Allies 1931–45, Volume I: China & Manchuria,'' 2004. Helion & Co. Ltd., 26 Willow Rd., Solihull, West Midlands, England, pp. 44–47, 85–87.</ref>
* [[File:Flag of the Republic of China-Nanjing (Peace, Anti-Communism, National Construction).svg|23px]] [[Wang Jingwei regime|Reorganised Nationalist Government of the Republic of China]] (1940–1945) – Established in Nanjing under the leadership of Wang Jingwei<ref>Jowett, Phillip S., ''Rays of The Rising Sun, Armed Forces of Japan’s Asian Allies 1931–45, Volume I: China & Manchuria,'' 2004. Helion & Co. Ltd., 26 Willow Rd., Solihull, West Midlands, England, pp. 63–89.</ref>

===Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy===
{{Further|Axis powers of World War II|Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy}}
[[File:World War II in Europe, 1942.svg|thumb|[[German-occupied Europe]] at the height of the Axis conquests in 1942]]
Several European governments under the domination of [[Nazi Germany|Germany]] and [[Fascist Italy|Italy]] during World War II have been described as "puppet régimes". The formal means of control in [[German-occupied Europe|occupied Europe]] varied greatly. These states fall into several categories.

====Existing states in alliance with Germany and Italy====
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946).svg}} Hungarian [[Government of National Unity (Hungary)|Government of National Unity]] (1944–1945) – The pro-Nazi regime of Prime Minister [[Ferenc Szálasi]] supported by the pro-German, antisemitic fascist [[Arrow Cross Party]] was a German puppet regime. Szálasi was installed by the Germans after [[Adolf Hitler]] launched [[Operation Panzerfaust]] and had the Hungarian Regent, Admiral [[Miklós Horthy]], removed and placed under house arrest. Horthy was forced to abdicate in favor of Szálasi. Szálasi fought on even after [[Siege of Budapest|Budapest fell]] and Hungary was completely overrun.

====Existing states under German or Italian rule====
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Albania (1943–1944).svg}} [[German occupation of Albania|Albania under Nazi Germany]] (1943–1944) – The Kingdom of Albania was an Italian [[protectorate]] and puppet regime. Italy invaded Albania in 1939 and ended the rule of [[Zog I of Albania|King Zog I]]. King [[Victor Emmanuel III|Victor Emmanuel III of Italy]] added King of Albania to his titles and Zog was exiled. King Victor Emmanuel and [[Shefqet Vërlaci|Shefqet Bej Verlaci]], Albanian Prime Minister and Head of State, controlled the Italian protectorate. Verlaci was replaced by [[Mustafa Merlika-Kruja|Mustafa Merlika Kruja]] on December 3, 1941. The Germans occupied Albania when Italy exited the war in 1943 and [[Ibrahim Biçakçiu|Ibrahim Bej Biçaku]], [[Mehdi Frashëri|Mehdi Bej Frashëri]], and [[Rexhep Mitrovica|Rexhep Bej Mitrovica]] became successive Prime Minister under the Nazis.
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Philippe_Pétain,_Chief_of_State_of_Vichy_France.svg}} [[Vichy France]] (1940–1942/4) – The Vichy French regime of [[Philippe Pétain]] had limited autonomy from 1940 to 1942, and depended heavily on Germany. The Vichy government controlled many of France's colonies and the [[Zone libre|unoccupied part of France]] and enjoyed international recognition. In 1942, the Germans occupied the portion of France administered by the Vichy government in [[Case Anton]] and installed a new leadership under [[Pierre Laval]], ending much of Vichy France's international legitimacy.
* {{Flagicon|Monaco}} [[Monaco]] ([[Invasion and occupation of Monaco during World War II|1942–1944]]) – In 1943, the [[Royal Italian Army|Italian Army]] invaded and occupied Monaco, setting up a fascist administration. Shortly thereafter, following [[Benito Mussolini]]'s deposal in Italy, the [[German Army (1935–1945)|German Army]] occupied Monaco and began deporting the Jewish population. Among them was [[René Blum (impresario)|René Blum]], founder of Monaco's ''Ballet de l'Opera'', who died in a Nazi extermination camp.

====New states formed to reflect national aspirations====
* {{Flagicon|Slovak Republic (1939–1945)}} [[Slovak Republic (1939–1945)|Slovak Republic]] under the [[Slovak People's Party]] (1939–1945) – The Slovak Republic was a German [[client state]].{{citation needed|date=November 2017}} The Slovak People's Party was a [[Clerical fascism|clerofascist]] [[nationalism|nationalist]] movement associated with the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church]]. [[Monsignor]] [[Jozef Tiso]] became president in a nominally independent Slovakia.
* {{Flagicon|Independent State of Croatia}} [[Independent State of Croatia]] (1941–1945) – The Independent State of Croatia (''Nezavisna Država Hrvatska'' or NDH) was a German and Italian puppet regime. On paper, the NDH was a kingdom under King [[Prince Aimone, Duke of Aosta|Tomislav II]] (Aimone, Duke of Spoleto) of the [[House of Savoy]],<ref>Friedman, Francine (2004). ''Bosnia and Herzegovina: a polity on the brink''. Routledge. p. 130. {{ISBN|0415274354}}. "...nominally Croatia was ruled by the Italian Duke of Spoleto styled as King"</ref> but Tomislav II was only a figurehead in Croatia who never exercised any real power, with [[Ante Pavelić]] a somewhat independent leader (''[[Poglavnik]]''), though staying obedient to Rome and Berlin.

====States and governments under the control of Germany and Italy====
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg}} [[Hellenic State (1941–1944)|Hellenic State]] (1941–1944) – The Hellenic State administration of [[Georgios Tsolakoglou]], [[Konstantinos Logothetopoulos]], and [[Ioannis Rallis]] was a "collaborationist" puppet government<ref>''...managed to see the puppet Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Rallis through'' @ [https://books.google.com/books?id=75yqSStYjocC Sephardi Jewry: A History of the Judeo-Spanish Community, 14th–20th Centuries, p. 168]</ref> during the [[Axis occupation of Greece]]. Germany, Italy, and [[Kingdom of Bulgaria|Bulgaria]] occupied different portions of Greece at different times during these regimes.
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Government of National Salvation (occupied Yugoslavia).svg}} [[Government of National Salvation]] (1941–1944) – The government of General [[Milan Nedić]] and sometimes known as Nedić's Serbia was a German puppet regime operating in the [[Territory of the Military Commander in Serbia]]<ref>''Serbia also had a Nazi puppet regime headed by Milan Nedic'' @ [https://books.google.com/books?id=KYHH6mGE9JoC The Balkanization of the West: The Confluence of Postmodernism and Postcommunism, p. 198]</ref> during the [[Axis occupation of Serbia]].
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Russian Liberation People's Army.svg}} [[Lokot Autonomy|Lokot Republic]] (1941–1943) – The Lokot Republic under [[Konstantin Voskoboinik]] and [[Bronislav Kaminski]] was a semi-autonomous region in Nazi-occupied Russia under a collaborationist administration. The republic covered the area of several [[Raion|raions]] of [[Oryol Oblast|Oryol]] and [[Kursk Oblast]]s. It was directly associated with the Russian Liberation People's Army (''Russkaya Osvoboditelnaya Narodnaya Armiya'' or RONA), known as the [[Kaminski Brigade]].
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Nasjonal Samling.svg}} [[Quisling regime|Norwegian National government]] (1942–1945) – The [[German occupation of Norway|occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany]] started with all authority held by German Reich Commissioner (''[[Reichskommissar]]'') [[Josef Terboven]], who exercised this through the ''[[Reichskommissariat Norwegen]]''. The Norwegian pro-German fascist [[Vidkun Quisling]] attempted a coup d'état against the Norwegian government during the [[Norwegian campaign|German invasion]] on 9 April 1940, but was not appointed by the Germans to head another native government until 1 February 1942.

====Italian Social Republic====
* {{Flagicon|Italian Social Republic}} [[Italian Social Republic]] (1943–1945, known also as the Republic of Salò) – General [[Pietro Badoglio]] and King Victor Emmanuel III withdrew Italy from the [[Axis powers]] and moved the government to [[Southern Italy]], already controlled by the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]]. In response, the Germans occupied [[Northern Italy]] and founded the Italian Social Republic (''Repubblica Sociale Italiana'' or RSI) with Benito Mussolini as its "Head of State" and "Minister of Foreign Affairs". While the RSI government had some trappings of an independent state, it was completely dependent both economically and politically on Germany.

==British examples during and after World War II==
{{further|Allies of World War II|List of World War II puppet states}}
The Axis demand for oil and the concern of the Allies that Germany would look to the oil-rich Middle East for a solution, caused the invasion of Iraq by the United Kingdom and the [[Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran|invasion of Iran]] by the UK and the Soviet Union. Pro-Axis governments in both Iraq and Iran were removed and replaced with Allied-dominated governments.

* {{Flagicon|Kingdom of Iraq}} [[Kingdom of Iraq]] (1941–1947) – Iraq was important to the United Kingdom because of its position on the route to India. Iraq also could provide strategic oil reserves. But due to the UK's weakness early in the war, Iraq backed away from the pre-war [[Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930|Anglo-Iraqi Alliance]]. On 1 April 1941, the [[Hashemites|Hashemite]] monarchy in Iraq was overthrown by a [[1941 Iraqi coup d'état|pro-German ''coup d'état'']] under [[Rashid Ali al-Gaylani|Rashid Ali]]. The Rashid Ali regime began negotiations with the [[Axis powers]] and military aid was quickly sent to [[Mosul]] via Vichy French-controlled Syria. The Germans provided a squadron of twin-engine fighters and a squadron of medium bombers. The Italians provided a squadron of biplane fighters. In mid-April 1941, a brigade of the [[10th Indian Infantry Division]] landed at [[Basra]] (Operation Sabine). On 30 April, British forces at [[RAF Habbaniya]] were besieged by a numerically inferior Iraqi force. On 2 May, the British launched pre-emptive airstrikes against the Iraqis and the [[Anglo-Iraqi War]] began. By the end of May, the siege of RAF Habbaniya was lifted, [[Fallujah]] was taken, [[Baghdad]] was surrounded by British forces, and the pro-German government of Rashid Ali collapsed. Rashid Ali and his supporters fled the country. The Hashemite monarchy under King [[Faisal II of Iraq|Faisal II]] was restored, and declared war on the Axis powers in January 1942. British and Commonwealth forces remained in Iraq until 26 October 1947.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Taqoosh|first=Muhammad Sahil|title=تاريخ العراق (الحديث والمعاصر)|publisher=Dar Al-Nafaes|year=2015|pages=190–191|language=ar|trans-title=Modern and contemporary history of Iraq}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon image|State flag of Iran (1933–1964).svg}} [[Pahlavi Iran|Imperial State of Iran]] (1941–1943) – German workers in Iran caused both the UK and the Soviet Union to question Iran's neutrality. In addition, Iran's geographical position was important to the Allies. As a result, the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran (Operation Countenance) was launched in August 1941. The following month, [[Reza Shah|Reza Shah Pahlavi]] was forced to abdicate his throne and went into exile. He was replaced by his son [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]], who was willing to declare war on the Axis powers. By January 1942, the UK and the Soviet Union agreed to end their occupation of Iran six months after the end of the war.

==Soviet examples after 1939==
{{main|Soviet satellite states}}

===Puppet states later absorbed into the Soviet Union===
* {{Flagicon|Tuvan People's Republic}} [[Tuvan People's Republic]]{{disputed inline|date=December 2011}} (1921–1944) – Achieved independence from [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|China]] by means of local nationalist revolutions only to come under the domination of the Soviet Union in the 1920s. In 1944, Tannu Tuva was absorbed into the USSR.
* {{Flagicon image|Socialist red flag.svg}} [[Finnish Democratic Republic]] (1939–1940) – The Finnish Democratic Republic was a short-lived republic in the parts of Finland that were occupied by the Soviet Union during the [[Winter War]]. It was also known as the "Terijoki Government", as [[Zelenogorsk, Saint Petersburg|Terijoki]] was the first town captured by the Soviets. The Finnish Democratic Republic was intended to govern Finland after Soviet conquest.<ref>{{cite book |last=Tanner|first=Väinö |title=The Winter War: Finland Against Russia, 1939–1940, Volume 312 |location=Palo Alto |publisher=Stanford University Press |year=1956| page= 114}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Trotter|first=William|title=A Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939–1940  |publisher=Algonquin Books |year=2013| pages=58, 61}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic|variant=1940}} [[Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic]] (1940) – In June 1940, the [[Republic of Latvia (1918-1940)|Republic of Latvia]] was occupied by the Soviet Union and in July a government proclaimed Soviet power.<ref name="BS"/> In August 1940, Latvia was illegally annexed by the USSR.<ref name="malksoo"/>
* {{Flagicon|Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic|variant=1940}} [[Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic]] (1940) – In June 1940, the [[Republic of Lithuania (1918-1940)|Republic of Lithuania]] was occupied by the Soviet Union and in July a government proclaimed Soviet power.<ref name="BS"/> In August 1940, Lithuania was illegally annexed by the USSR.<ref name="malksoo"/>
* {{Flagicon|Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic|variant=1940}} [[Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic]] (1940) – In June 1940, the [[History of Estonia (1920–1939)|Republic of Estonia]] was occupied by the Soviet Union and in July a government proclaimed Soviet power.<ref name="BS">The Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (Postcommunist States and Nations) David J. Smith from Front Matter {{ISBN|0-415-28580-1}}</ref><ref>Estonia: Identity and Independence: Translated into English (On the Boundary of Two Worlds: Identity, Freedom, and Moral Imagination in the Baltics) Jean-Jacques Subrenat, David Cousins, Alexander Harding, Richard C. Waterhouse. p. 246. {{ISBN|90-420-0890-3}}</ref> In August 1940, Estonia was illegally annexed by the USSR.<ref name="malksoo">{{Cite book|author=Mälksoo, Lauri|year=2003|title=Illegal Annexation and State Continuity: The Case of the Incorporation of the Baltic States by the USSR|location= Leiden – Boston|publisher= Brill| isbn= 90-411-2177-3}}</ref>

*

===Soviet puppet states in Central Asia===
* {{Flagicon image|Azerbaijan people's government flag.svg}} [[Azerbaijan People's Government]] (1945–1946) – A short-lived state in [[Azerbaijan (Iran)|Iranian Azerbaijan]] after World War II.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|first=Hassan|last=Arfa|author-link=Hasan Arfa|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-6144/Reza-Shah-Pahlavi|title=Reza Shah Pahlavi: Shah of Iran: Policies as Shah|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica online|publisher=Britannica.com|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Republic of Mahabad}} [[Republic of Mahabad]] (1946–1947) – Officially known as the Republic of Kurdistan and established in several provinces of northwestern Iran, or what is known as [[Iranian Kurdistan]] and was a short-lived republic that sought Kurdish autonomy within the limits of the Iranian state. Iran retook control in December and the leaders of the state were executed in March 1947 in [[Mahabad]].

===Other states under Soviet influence===
[[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] was a communist state closely linked to the Soviet Union, but Yugoslavia retained autonomy within its own borders. After the [[Tito–Stalin split]] in 1948, the relationship between the two countries deteriorated significantly. Yugoslavia was expelled from the international organisations of the [[Eastern Bloc]]. After Stalin's death and a period of [[de-Stalinization]] by [[Nikita Khrushchev]], peace was restored, but the relationship between the two countries was never completely mended. Yugoslavia continued to pursue independent policies and became the founding member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]].{{cn|date=May 2023}}

==Examples before and during decolonisation==
{{See also|Françafrique}}
In some cases, the process of [[decolonization|decolonisation]] has been managed by the decolonising power to create a [[Neocolonialism|neo-colony]], that is a nominally independent state whose economy and politics permits continued foreign domination. Neo-colonies are not normally considered puppet states.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

===Dutch East Indies===
The [[Netherlands]] formed several puppet states in the former [[Dutch East Indies]] as part of its effort to quell the [[Indonesian National Revolution]].{{cn|date=August 2023}}
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of the State of East Indonesia.svg}} [[State of East Indonesia|East Indonesia]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Various Autonomous Indonesian States.svg}} [[State of East Java|East Java]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of East Sumatra.svg}} [[State of East Sumatra|East Sumatra]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Various Autonomous Indonesian States.svg}} [[State of Madura|Madura]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Pasundan.svg}} [[State of Pasundan|Pasundan]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of South Sumatra.svg}} [[State of South Sumatra|South Sumatra]]
* {{Flagicon image|Banjar Sultanate Flag.svg}} [[Banjar Region|Banjar]]
* [[Bangka Island]]
* [[Belitung|Biliton]]
* [[Central Java]]
* [[East Kalimantan]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Dayak Besar.svg}} [[Great Dayak]]
* [[Southeast Borneo Federation]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Pontianak Sultanate.svg}} [[Pontianak Sultanate|West Kalimantan]]

===Congo crisis===
{{See also|King Leopold II|Mining industry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Blood diamond}}
Following the [[Belgian Congo]]'s independence as [[Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)|Congo-Leopoldville]] in 1960, Belgian interests supported the short-lived breakaway [[State of Katanga]] (1960–1963).<ref>Mockler, Antony (1987). The New Mercenaries: The History of the Hired Soldier from the Congo to the Seychelles. New York: Paragon House Publishers. pp. 37–55. {{ISBN|0-913729-72-8}}.</ref>

=== East Timor ===
[[Indonesia]] established a [[Provisional Government of East Timor]] following its [[Indonesian invasion of East Timor|invasion of East Timor]] in December 1975.<ref>{{cite web |title=Declaration of Independence |url=http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=29&lang=en |website=Timor-Leste gov |access-date=17 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rourke |first=Alison |date=29 August 2019 |title=East Timor: Indonesia's invasion and the long road to independence |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/30/east-timor-indonesias-invasion-and-the-long-road-to-independence |access-date=17 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Febrian |first=Ramdan |date=28 November 2019 |title=A Piece Of The Story Of East Timor's Independence From Portugal Then Indonesia Was "annexed" |publisher=VOI |editor-last=Indrawan |editor-first=Aditya Fajar |url=https://voi.id/en/memori/473/a-piece-of-the-story-of-east-timors-independence-from-portugal-then-indonesia-was-annexed |access-date=17 December 2021 |archive-date=17 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217111643/https://voi.id/en/memori/473/a-piece-of-the-story-of-east-timors-independence-from-portugal-then-indonesia-was-annexed |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===South Africa's Bantustans===
[[Image:Namibia homelands 78.jpeg|thumb|Map of Bantustans in [[South West Africa]] (present-day [[Namibia]]) as of 1978]]
During the 1970s and 1980s, four ethnic [[Bantustan]]s - some of which were extremely [[gerrymandering|fragmented]] - called "homelands" by the government of the time, were carved out of [[South Africa]] and given nominal [[sovereignty]]. Mostly [[Xhosa people]] resided in the [[Ciskei]] and [[Transkei]], [[Tswana people]] in [[Bophuthatswana]], and [[Venda people]] in the [[Venda]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump's Plan for Palestine Looks a Lot Like Apartheid |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/02/27/trumps-plan-for-palestine-looks-a-lot-like-apartheid/ |work=[[Foreign Policy]] |date=27 February 2020}}</ref>{{rs?|date=May 2023}}

The principal purpose of these states was to remove South African citizenship from the Xhosa, Tswana, and Venda peoples, and so provide grounds for denying them their democratic rights. All four Bantustans were reincorporated into a democratic South Africa on 27 April 1994, under a [[Constitution of South Africa|new constitution]].{{fact|date=April 2022}}

The South African authorities established ten Bantustans in [[South West Africa]] (present-day [[Namibia]]), then [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 264|illegally occupied]] by South Africa, in the late 1960s and early 1970s in accordance with the [[Fox Odendaal|Odendaal Commission]]. Three of them were granted self-rule. These Bantustans were replaced with separate ethnicity-based governments in 1980.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

==Post-Cold War examples==
===Republic of Kuwait===
The [[Republic of Kuwait]] was a short-lived pro-Iraqi state in the Persian Gulf that only existed three weeks before [[Kuwait Governorate|it was annexed by Iraq]] in 1990.

===Republic of Serbian Krajina===
{{see also|Serb Autonomous Regions|Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia (1995–1998)|Republika Srpska (1992–1995)|Dubrovnik Republic (1991)}}
The [[Republic of Serbian Krajina]] was a self-proclaimed territory [[ethnic cleansing|ethnically cleansed]]{{what|is this really the correct form of the verb?|date=May 2023}} by Serbian forces during the [[Croatian War of Independence|Croatian War]] (1991–95). It was completely dependent on the Serbian regime of [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Freedom on Fire|isbn = 9780674043480|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-t2p8irU2okC&q=krajina+puppet+state&pg=PA186|access-date=3 January 2020|last1 = Shattuck|first1 = John|year = 2009| publisher=Harvard University Press }}</ref> and was not recognised internationally.

==Recent and current examples==
Multiple often unrecognised states had been described or accused of being a puppet state of other countries.
===United States===
* {{flag|Islamic Republic of Afghanistan}} – Many, including the [[Taliban]] who now comprise the country's current government,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Afghanistan 2001–2021: U.S. Policy Lessons Learned |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2021/11/afghanistan-2001-2021-us-policy-lessons-learned?lang=en |last=Crocker |first=Ryan |date= 17 November 2021 |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502005208/https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/11/17/afghanistan-2001-2021-u.s.-policy-lessons-learned-pub-85814 |archive-date=2 May 2023}}</ref> considered the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to have been a U.S. puppet state.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Hamid Karzai: Revenge of the Puppet |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/revenge-of-the-puppet-rolling-stones-2010-story-on-hamid-karzai-193925/ |last=Dreyfuss |first=Bob |date= 28 April 2010 |access-date=27 February 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605212201/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/revenge-of-the-puppet-rolling-stones-2010-story-on-hamid-karzai-193925/ |archive-date=5 June 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Republic of Iraq|2004}} ([[Iraqi Interim Government|Interim Government]] and [[Coalition Provisional Authority]]) – Critics of the Iraqi Interim Government argued that it existed only at the pleasure of the United States and other coalition countries and considered it a U.S. puppet government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iraqis rise up against 16 years of 'made in the USA' corruption |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/iraqis-rise-against-16-years-made-usa-corruption/ |access-date=16 January 2024 |website=openDemocracy |language=en}}</ref> This criticism was also extended to politicians active within the Interim Government, with the media suggesting that [[Ayad Allawi]], was Washington's puppet.<ref>{{cite news | title=Iraq's New S.O.B. | work=[[Newsweek]] | date=July 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/26/opinion/26dowd.html?_r=0|title=Dance of the Marionettes|last=Dowd|first=Maureen|author-link=Maureen Dowd|date=26 September 2004|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref> The CPA's economy was dominated by American influence. The CPA began to [[Economic reform of Iraq|dismantle Iraq's centrally planned economy]]. [[Paul Bremer]], chief executive of the CPA, planned to restructure Iraq's state owned economy with [[free market]] thinking. Bremer dropped the [[corporate tax]] rate from around 45% to a [[flat tax]] rate of 15% and allowed foreign corporations to [[Repatriation|repatriate]] all profits earned in Iraq. Opposition from senior Iraqi officials, together with the poor security situation, meant that Bremer's privatisation plan was not implemented during his tenure,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/05/world/struggle-for-iraq-northern-region-kurdish-region-northern-iraq-will-get-keep.html?scp=3&sq=privatization&st=nyt | work=The New York Times | title=The Struggle for Iraq: Northern Region; Kurdish Region in Northern Iraq Will Get to Keep Special Status | first=Steven R. | last=Weisman | date=2004-01-05}}</ref> though his orders remained in place. CPA Order 39 laid out the framework for full privatisation in Iraq and permitted 100% foreign ownership of Iraqi assets and strengthened the positions of foreign businesses and investors. Critics like [[Naomi Klein]] argued that CPA Order 39 was designed to create as favourable an environment for foreign investors as possible, which would allow U.S. corporations to dominate Iraq's economy.<ref name="shock">[[The Shock Doctrine]], [[Naomi Klein]]</ref> Also controversial was [[Coalition Provisional Authority Order 17|CPA Order 17]] which granted all foreign contractors operating in Iraq [[Legal immunity|immunity]] from "Iraqi [[legal process]]," effectively granting immunity from any kind of suit, civil or criminal, for actions the contractors engaged in within Iraq.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iraqcoalition.org/regulations/20040627_CPAORD_17_Status_of_Coalition__Rev__with_Annex_A.pdf |title=iraqcoalition.org/~Status_of_Coalition_Rev_with_Annex_A.pdf |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040701202703/http://iraqcoalition.org/regulations/20040627_CPAORD_17_Status_of_Coalition__Rev__with_Annex_A.pdf |archive-date=2004-07-01 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> CPA Order 49 also provided significant [[tax cut]]s for corporations operating within Iraq by reducing the rate from a maximum of 40% to a maximum of just 15% on income. Furthermore, corporations who collaborated with the CPA were [[tax exemption|exempted]] from having to pay any tax.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iraqcoalition.org/regulations/20040220_CPAORD_49_Tax_Strategy_of_2004_with_Annex_and_Ex_Note.pdf |title=iraqcoalition.org/~Tax_Strategy_of_2004_with_Annex_and_Ex_Note.pdf |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165636/http://www.iraqcoalition.org/regulations/20040220_CPAORD_49_Tax_Strategy_of_2004_with_Annex_and_Ex_Note.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>

===Armenia===
* {{flag|Artsakh}} – A former self-declared independent state heavily populated by Armenians, it was internationally recognised as part of [[Azerbaijan]]. Russian peacekeepers controlled the [[Lachin corridor]] that allowed traffic to reach Armenia, on which it was heavily dependent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justsecurity.org/73310/the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-and-the-exercise-of-self-defense-to-recover-occupied-land/|title=The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict and the Exercise of 'Self-Defense' to Recover Occupied Land|date=10 November 2020|website=Just Security}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://armenianweekly.com/2020/11/02/putin-finally-reveals-his-solution-to-the-artsakh-conflict/|title=Putin Finally Reveals His Solution to the Artsakh Conflict|first=Harut|last=Sassounian|date=2 November 2020|website=The Armenian Weekly}}</ref>

===China===
* {{flag|Wa State}} – The ''de facto'' independent [[Wa State]] in [[Myanmar]] is considered a puppet state linked to China.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN14H1V8 |title=Through reclusive Wa, a China's reach extends into Suu Kyi's Myanmar |last1=Slodkowski |first1=Antoni |last2=Lee |first2=Yimou |publisher=Reuters |date=28 December 2016 |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://asiatimes.com/2019/09/why-myanmars-wa-always-get-what-they-want |title=Why Myanmar's Wa always get what they want |last=Linter |first=Bertil |date=18 September 2019 |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>

===Russia===
[[File:Евгений Шевчук и Александр Анкваб.jpg|thumb|210px|Abkhazian President [[Alexander Ankvab]] with Transnistrian President [[Yevgeny Shevchuk]] in 2013. Both Abkhazia and Transnistria have been described as puppet states of Russia.]]
* {{flag|Abkhazia|Republic of Abkhazia}} is considered a puppet state that is dependent on Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecommentator.com/article/1272/georgia_and_russia_the_occupation_too_many_have_forgotten|title=Georgia and Russia: The occupation too many have forgotten|first=Luke|last=Coffey|publisher=thecommentator.com|date=1 June 2012|access-date=13 September 2017|archive-date=20 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220181039/http://www.thecommentator.com/article/1272/georgia_and_russia_the_occupation_too_many_have_forgotten|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Francis2011">{{cite book|last=Francis|first=Céline|title=Conflict Resolution and Status: The Case of Georgia and Abkhazia (1989–2008)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M0HYNMc3cOIC&pg=PA92|access-date=13 September 2017|year=2011|publisher=VUBPRESS Brussels University Press|isbn=978-90-5487-899-5|pages=92–97}}</ref> The economy of Abkhazia is heavily integrated with Russia and uses the [[Russian ruble]] as its currency. About half of Abkhazia's state budget is financed with aid money from Russia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/no-clear-frontrunner-as-abkhazia-goes-to-poll/442702.html |title=No Clear Frontrunner as Abkhazia Goes to Poll |author=Nikolaus von Twickel |newspaper=The Moscow Times |date=26 August 2011}}</ref> Most Abkhazians have [[Russian passport|Russian passports]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18175030 |title=BBC News – Regions and territories: Abkhazia |work=BBC News |date=22 November 2011 |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] |location=London |access-date=19 January 2012}}</ref> Russia maintains a 3,500-strong force in Abkhazia with its headquarters in [[Gudauta District|Gudauta]], a former Soviet military base on the [[Black Sea]] coast<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20130419/180735302.html|work=RIA Novosti|title=Russian Troops in Abkhazia to Get Air-Conditioned APCs|date=19 April 2013}}</ref> and the borders of Abkhazia are protected by Russian paratroopers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190530-abkhazia-the-country-living-in-a-soviet-time-warp |author=Stephen Dowling|date=May 31, 2018|title=Abkhazia: The 'country' living in a Soviet time warp|publisher=BBC}}</ref> 
* {{flag|South Ossetia}} has declared independence but its ability to maintain independence is solely based on Russian troops deployed on its territory. As South Ossetia is landlocked between Russia and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], from which it seceded, it has relied on Russia for economic and logistical support, as all of its exports and imports and air and road traffic is only with Russia. Former President of South Ossetia [[Eduard Kokoity]] claimed he would like South Ossetia eventually to become a part of the Russian Federation through reunification with [[North Ossetia–Alania|North Ossetia]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/russia-insists-it-has-no-imperial-ambitions-for-ex-soviet-neighbours-1.937994|title=Russia insists it has no imperial ambitions for ex-Soviet neighbours|first=Daniel|last=McLaughlin|date=12 September 2008|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref>
* The {{flag|Donetsk People's Republic}} (DPR) and the {{flag|Luhansk People's Republic}} (LPR) were self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine following the fallout from the [[Euromaidan]] protests and widely considered to be Russian puppet states.<ref name="twickel">{{cite web|url=https://css.ethz.ch/en/services/digital-library/articles/article.html/7b91e171-a779-43d3-9f24-35e8a88d8974|title=Russian Analytical Digest No 214: The Armed Conflict in Eastern Ukraine|website=[[ETH Zurich]]|author1=Nikolaus von Twickel |author2=Gwendolyn Sasse |author3=Mario Baumann}}</ref><ref name="korotkyi">{{cite book|url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-6265-222-4_7|title=The Legal Status of the Donetsk and Luhansk "Peoples' Republics"|author=Tymur Korotkyi, Nataliia Hendel|year=2018 |pages=145–170 |doi=10.1007/978-94-6265-222-4_7 |isbn=978-94-6265-221-7 }}</ref> Russia [[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts of Ukraine|annexed]] the DPR and LPR on September 30, 2022, following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].
* {{flag|Transnistria}}, a conservative holdover of pro-Soviet forces from the [[Transnistria War]], is considered a puppet state sponsored by Russia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2014/0305/Is-Transnistria-the-ghost-of-Crimea-s-future-video|title=Is Transnistria the ghost of Crimea's future?|work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|date=5 March 2014|access-date=25 October 2015|last=Robertson|first=Dylan C.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-6265-141-8_2|chapter=Puppet States: A Growing Trend of Covert Occupation|doi=10.1007/978-94-6265-141-8_2|title=Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law Volume 18, 2015|year=2016|last1=Ivanel|first1=Bogdan|volume=18|pages=43–65|isbn=978-94-6265-140-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/35153/Owen_JD_T_2009.pdf|title=Neopatrimonialism and Regime Endurance in Transnistria}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.elgaronline.com/view/edcoll/9781839107849/9781839107849.00014.xml|title=The European Unions position and practice with regard to unilateral and extraterritorial sanctions|first=Charlotte|last=Beaucillon|date=17 August 2021|journal=Research Handbook on Unilateral and Extraterritorial Sanctions|pages=110–129|doi=10.4337/9781839107856.00014 |isbn=9781839107856 |s2cid=238717787 |via=www.elgaronline.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

===Turkey===
* {{flag|Northern Cyprus|name=Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus}} – According to the [[European Court of Human Rights]], the [[Cyprus|Republic of Cyprus]] remains the sole legitimate government in Cyprus, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus should be considered as a puppet state under Turkish control.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Milano|first1=Enrico|title=Unlawful Territorial Situations in International Law: Reconciling Effectiveness, Legality And Legitimacy|date=2006|page=146|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ph_D_aYHNMC&q=puppet+state+trnc&pg=PA146|isbn=9004149392}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Terry.D.|first1=Gill|title=Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law 2015|date=2016|page=58|publisher=Springer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ENeSDQAAQBAJ&q=puppet+state+trnc&pg=PA58|isbn=9789462651418}}</ref> Its isolation, [[Cyprus Turkish Peace Force Command|Turkish military presence]], and heavy dependence on Turkish support mean that [[Turkey]] has a high level of control over the country's decision-making processes. That has led to some experts stating that it runs as an effective puppet state of Turkey.<ref>James, A. ''Sovereign statehood: The basis of international society.'' p. 142 [https://books.google.com/books?id=CFoVAAAAIAAJ&dq=northern+cyprus+puppet+state&pg=PA142]. Taylor and Francis, 1986, 288 pages. {{ISBN|0-04-320191-1}}.</ref><ref>Kurtulus, E. ''State sovereignty: concept, phenomenon and ramifications.'' p. 136 [https://books.google.com/books?id=9hS8lfqxdgYC&dq=northern+cyprus+puppet+state&pg=PA136]. Macmillan, 2005, 232 pages. {{ISBN|1-4039-6988-4}}.</ref><ref name="Kaczorowska">Kaczorowska, A. ''Public International Law.'' p. 190 [https://books.google.com/books?id=RFkx76YTmbIC&dq=northern+cyprus+puppet+state&pg=PA190]. Taylor and Francis, 2010, 944 pages. {{ISBN|0-415-56685-1}}.</ref> Other experts, however, have pointed out the independent nature of elections and appointments in Northern Cyprus and disputes between the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish governments and concluded that "puppet state" is not an accurate description for Northern Cyprus.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bartmann|first1=Barry|editor1-last=Bahcheli|editor1-first=Tozun|editor2-last=Bartmann|editor2-first=Barry|editor3-last=Srebrnik|editor3-first=Henry|title=De Facto States: The Quest for Sovereignty|date=2004|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781135771218|page=24|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gk2QAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA24}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Dodd|first1=Clement Henry|title=The political, social and economic development of Northern Cyprus|date=1993|publisher=Eothen Press|isbn=9780906719183|page=377|quote=In short, the electorate of Northern Cyprus votes freely for its political leaders and gives them substantial support. Nor is Northern Cyprus a Turkish puppet state. Mr Denktas and the Turkish-Cypriot case have a powerful following in Turkey...}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Syrian opposition}} [[Syrian Interim Government]] – Originally founded in 2013, before the [[Turkish occupation of northern Syria]], SIG became more dependent of Turkey in recent years and accused of being a puppet government<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzz.ch/international/die-kleine-tuerkei-in-nordsyrien-ld.1463513|title=Die kleine Türkei in Nordsyrien|lang=de |date=13 March 2019|access-date=1 December 2024|first1=Joseph|last1=Croitoru|work=[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]]}}</ref> with their [[Syrian National Army]] being described as "Turkish-backed",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5w0ype0vlo|title=Syria rebels launch major offensive in north-west and gain territory|date=29 November 2024|access-date=1 December 2024|first=David|last=Gritten|work=[[BBC]]}}</ref> as "funded by Turkey"<ref name="GuardianSNA"/> or as "[[mercenaries]]".<ref name="SpiegelSNA"/> The SNA was also reported to have being used to support the [[Government of National Accord|GNA]] in the [[Libyan civil war (2014–2020)|Second Libyan Civil War]]<ref name="GuardianSNA">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/15/exclusive-2000-syrian-troops-deployed-to-libya-to-support-regime|title=Exclusive: 2,000 Syrian fighters deployed to Libya to support government|date=15 January 2020|access-date=1 December 2024|first1=Bethan|last1=McKernan|last2=Akoush|first2=Hussein |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> and to support [[Azerbaijan]] in the [[Second Nagorno-Karabakh War]] by the [[Turkish government]].<ref name="SpiegelSNA">{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/bergkarabach-tuerkische-regierung-schickt-gezielt-syrische-soeldner-a-432ebced-23b0-4fdf-a566-ae830f96905d|title=Syrische Söldner im Bergkarabach-Konflikt: Erdogans Schattenkrieger|lang=de |date=5 October 2020|access-date=1 December 2024|first1=Daham|last1=Alasaad|last2=Perrier|first2=Guillaume|first3=Maximilian|last3=Popp|work=[[Der Spiegel]]}}</ref>

=== Israel ===

* {{Flag|Palestinian Authority}} – The Palestinian Authority, an autonomous administration which exercises partial civil control over the [[Palestinian enclaves]] in the [[Israeli occupation of the West Bank|Israeli-occupied West Bank]], was created in 1994 as a result of the [[Oslo Accords]]. It is widely viewed by Palestinians as subservient to [[Israel]], and the two have coordinated security.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Governs the Palestinians? {{!}} Council on Foreign Relations |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/who-governs-palestinians |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.cfr.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DC |first=Arab Center Washington |date=2024-11-07 |title=Fending for Themselves: The Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority |url=https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/fending-for-themselves-the-palestinians-and-the-palestinian-authority/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Arab Center Washington DC |language=en-US}}</ref>
*{{Flag icon|State of Palestine}} [[Popular Forces administration in the Gaza Strip]] – after the successful [[Rafah offensive]], the Israeli-backed [[Popular Forces]] militia led by [[Yasser Abu Shabab]] has had control over parts of the [[Rafah Governorate]]. Critics consider it a puppet state of Israel.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ynetnews |date=2025-07-27 |title=In Gaza's Rafah, rebel commander claims war already over—and offers alternative to Hamas |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjju8qqdge |access-date=2025-07-29 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-31 |title=Is the UAE involved in Israel's Gaza 'concentration camp' scheme? Here's what we know. |url=https://mondoweiss.net/2025/07/is-the-uae-involved-in-israels-gaza-concentration-camp-scheme-heres-what-we-know/ |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=Mondoweiss |language=en-US}}</ref>

===In Yemen===
[[File:Yemeni Civil War.svg|thumb|180px|Map of territorial control in [[Yemen]]]]{{smalldiv|1=
{{legend|#d7e074|[[Southern Transitional Council]] supported by the UAE}}
{{legend|#f98787|Internationally-recognized [[Cabinet of Yemen|Government of Yemen]] based in Saudi Arabia}}
{{legend|#cae7c4|[[Houthi movement|Houthi]]-led [[Supreme Political Council]] supported by Iran}}
{{legend|#ffffff|[[Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula]] and [[Al-Qaeda|AQ]]-affiliated [[Ansar al-Sharia (Yemen)|Ansar al-Sharia]]}}
}}

====Iran====
* {{flag|Yemen|name=Yemen}} – The [[Houthi movement|Houthi government]] is considered by some<ref>{{Cite news|last=Juneau |first=Thomas |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/05/16/contrary-to-popular-belief-houthis-arent-iranian-proxies/?outputType=amp |title=No, Yemen's Houthis actually aren't Iranian puppets |language=en |newspaper=Washington Post |date=16 May 2016 |access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref> to be a puppet state which is supported by [[Iran]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 March 2015|title=Yemen president calls Houthis 'Iran's puppet'|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-hadi-puppet-idUSKBN0MO0G220150328|access-date=16 January 2021}}</ref>

====Saudi Arabia====
* {{flag|Yemen|name=Yemen}} – The [[Cabinet of Yemen|Alimi government]] is sometimes considered a puppet state which is supported by [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{cite news|date=2 February 2018|title=ANALYSIS: Saudi Arabia plays puppet master as Yemen slowly breaks apart|work=Middle East Eye|url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/analysis-saudi-arabia-plays-puppet-master-yemen-slowly-breaks-apart}}</ref>

====United Arab Emirates====
* {{flag|Yemen|name=Yemen}} – The [[Southern Transitional Council]] is sometimes considered a puppet state which is supported by the [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-uae-security-yemen-somalia/uae-extends-military-reach-in-yemen-and-somalia-idUKKBN1IC12B|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511125450/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-uae-security-yemen-somalia/uae-extends-military-reach-in-yemen-and-somalia-idUKKBN1IC12B|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 May 2018|title=UAE extends military reach in Yemen and Somalia|first=Noah|last=Browning|date=11 May 2018|website=reuters.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Yemen on the brink: how the UAE is profiting from the chaos of civil war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/dec/21/yemen-uae-united-arab-emirates-profiting-from-chaos-of-civil-war |access-date=31 December 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=21 December 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Politics}}
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Banana republic]]
* [[Buffer state]]
* [[Client state]]
* [[Co-belligerence]]
* [[Failed state]]
* [[List of World War II puppet states]]
* [[Princely state]]
* [[Protectorate]]
* [[Satellite state]]
* [[Satrapy]]
* [[Sphere of influence]]
* [[Suzerainty]]
* [[Tributary state]]
* [[Vassal state]]
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Crawford, James (1979). ''The Creation of States in International Law''. {{isbn|978-0-199-22842-3}}

{{Autonomous types of first-tier administration}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Puppet State}}
[[Category:Political metaphors]]
[[Category:Client state]]