What is the Sovereign Order of Malta? | Explaining the World's Strangest International Entity

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a source of endless fascination for those interested in statehood. As the name suggests, it claims sovereignty. It also has international personality. It even has diplomatic relations with over 110 countries. This has led many to think of it as a state or a country - albeit an unusual one without territory. But is this accurate? In this video, I explore the Order and set out how we can really best understand it.
Welcome to Independent Thinking. A channel dedicated to international relations, independence disputes, secession and the origins of countries.
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta - officially the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta - is one of the strangest bodies in international relations. Founded in 1048, it is acknowledged to be one of the oldest institutions in the world. Better known today for its charitable works, the Order is also famous because of its rather unusual characteristics, including its observer status at the United Nations. This has led many to think of it as state. As I show, this is incorrect. It isn't a country, and can't be one. However, there is another way of looking at it that makes far more sense - especially as international law has evolved over the past seventy years. As this video shows, for all its quirks and its historically unique position, the Order is in fact becoming less out of the ordinary and far more normal as time passes.
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FURTHER READING & USEFUL SOURCES
Order of Malta www.orderofmalta.int
The Sovereign Order of Malta in International Law doi.org/10.1093/iclqaj/3.2.217
The Continuing Question of Sovereignty and the Sovereign Military Order of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPag...
The Acquisition of Sovereignty by Quasi-States: The Case of the Order of Malta papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.c...
The International Legal Status of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta doi.org/10.1163/187197312X617674
The Country above the Hermes Boutique: The International Status of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPag...
The Creation of States in International Law amzn.to/2Fc5ouO
Satow's Diplomatic Practice amzn.to/2sF1Kak
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KEYWORDS
#OrderofMalta #SovereignOrderofMalta #InternationalRelations
#Statehood #Independence
#InternationalLaw #InternationalHistory
#KnightsofMalta #Vatican #Malta #Rhodes
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[@EdMcF1]

After WW2, what is now the Italian Air Force was 'badged' as the Air Force of the SMOM, as Italy tentatively re-armed. So it once had a massive Air Force.

[@FrithonaHrududu02127]

Really? That's a cool fact. I've been fascinated by them since I was a kid.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much for watching. This week I am picking up on a question from a new subscriber, who asked me about the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. I have always found this to be a fascinating body. And it always seems to come up in discussions on statehood. This being Easter weekend, it also seemed a perfect moment to cover one of the oldest institutions in the Christian world. So, many thanks for the suggestion, Charles! If anyone else has suggestions, do please let me know. I am keeping a list of them. (Ahmed, I promise I will do Somaliland at some point.) Needless to say, if you did find this interesting and useful, do please consider 'Liking' and 'Subscribing'. It helps the channel!

[@tennis501tennis501]

Wow - i enjoyed our insights! As you highlighted in the article, SMOM once had territory on the islands of Rhodes and Malta. Also, SMOM has an observer seat, like the International Red Cross does. Your investigation into this fascinating medieval Order is interesting and informative

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Charles Glad it helped. Thanks again for such a great question! 🙏🏻

[@ProximaCentauri88]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I remember the Sovereign Order of Malta was also an observer in the now defunct Latin Union where my country, the Philippines and our neighbor Timor Leste were members.

[@KnoxOffRoad]

@ Prof Ker-Lindsay Did you research some of the Members of the KOM to see who is involved currently?

[@FrithonaHrududu02127]

I went to a parochial school run by Lithuanian nuns and i distinctly remember learning about this in third grade. Also that the Duchy of Courland (latvia) had Caribbean possessions and that "w" can be a vowel. They taught us lots of stuff but these 3 facts stick out. Can't someone just give them an island so they can officially be the teensiest country?

[@aalb1873]

The Order of Malta, at least in Italy, still deals with health care and rescue as an auxiliary military body of the Italian army. It has always worked both in war and in peace, for example to provide relief to the population hit by earthquakes or floods. As auxiliary members of the army, the Hospitallers still hold military ranks. I do not know if in other countries besides Italy there are auxiliary departments of the Order of Malta in the army or in the civil protection corps.

[@dennisblair9626]

Are secret societies that claim enlightenment, yet sequester that knowledge from the public really that altruistic? The honest answer is, no of course not. They have a history of warmongering & usurpation, not bringers of harmony & balance. The order compels elite status, above the common man and feels entitled to the benefits that accompany such privelege, be it unjust enrichment or special immunity. Are we are not all equal before the law? If just one member of an international order, an NGO, or one UN, WHO diplomat, one politician, a member of the judiciary or clergy claims immunity, then there is NO rule of law.

[@BeatrizMartinez-dy3oy]

The organisation has been under increasing scrutiny over its handling of sexual assault allegations made against a volunteer, who later went on to molest two 15-year-old boys.4 nov 2022

[@comedunken6156]

This channel will be big save my words

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much! Really appreciated. :-) Following your previous suggestions, I did actually include some more graphics this time. I have just downloaded a good infographics FCPX plugin that helped a lot with the map. I will try to do more in future.

[@harold1795]

super underrated

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much! It is really appreciated. Still relatively early days, and it has been an extremely steep learning curve to get the hang of producing videos, but I'm so glad you're enjoying them. It means a lot!

[@Hoheit34]

This is of great interest to me as I have visited both Rhodes and the home of the order there as well as their current home in Rome at the Magistral Palace. I hope one day to also visit the country of Malta and visit their historical sites there as well. It is such a special case of international sovereignty for the good of all people.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much for the comment. It is such an interesting institution, isn’t it!? Unfortunately, I’ve never been to Rhodes (although I once lived in Greece) or Malta - or even to the Magistral Palace, although I have been to Rome. It must have been fascinating. As I said, strangely the Order is in fact becoming more ‘normal’ in the modern world. I suspect this strange historic relic might well exist for a long time yet.

[@vincentciliberti5026]

In all honesty, I think you ought to visit Malta and witness the great and immense architecture bequeathed by the Order. Malta prides itself as having been under the direct rule of the Order, so much so that most of the time Malta showcase the eight pointed cross of the Order. Please do come, and of utmost importance (besides other buildings) pay a visit to St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta which is a masterpiece in itself, including Caravaggio's ( a knight of the Order) paintings. No need infornimg you that Valletta was built during the reign of Grandmaster La Valette, hence its name.

[@zaphodtrillian5237]

@@vincentciliberti5026 the Order bequeathed nothing to Malta and rightfully it is still morally and legally theirs. Your country is in possession of stolen goods - NOTHING WILL WASH THAT CLEAN, PLASTIC CATHOLICS

[@history_repeats8201]

@@JamesKerLindsay I just came back from spending a week in Rhodes. If you are curious about the middle ages and the knights in general then I highly recommend a trip to Rhodes. From all the places I have been in Europe it is the only one that makes you feel you are back in 1500's without having actors around you dressed like knights :) The palace of the Grand Master was amazing

[@KristinaUSA-x5n]

Considering the connection between my family and Kutna Hora:

[@Prouser2024]

This channel is really underrated

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much for the kind words. Really appreciated. 🙏🏻 Please do share a link to the channel or videos with anyone who might be interested!

[@rentregagnant]

Wonderfully clear from start to finish. Well done, Prof. Ker-Lindsay

[@nathanstone9322]

This gets me thinking - within the next century, states like Kiribati will likely lose their physical territories to rising sea levels. Do you anticipate that they will morph into less-than-states along the lines of the Order of Malta?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much. This is a fascinating question and I am planning to do a video on this very topic at some point. As it happens, I have already written an academic article on the subject which covers some of these issues - including this very point about the Order of Malta option for countries like Kiribati. You can find it here, if you are interested: www.academia.edu/27125432/Climate_Change_and_State_Death

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Tiger Tunes Good question. It rather depends. There aren’t many unclaimed territories around the world. I suspect it would be claimed pretty quickly, especially if it had any value. The problem arises, of course, when more than one country claims it.

[@sananography]

I really admire you. The way you stay neutral is commendable.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. I do my best to try to explain things in a neutral way that balances out different perspectives. However, I do take positions when I think they are merited. I like to think I’m not beyond criticising countries for their actions.

[@chef1arjunaidi]

​@@JamesKerLindsay or inactions, in dome cases.

[@KnoxOffRoad]

Read about about the Knights of Malta and you will see what it really is. If you dig it is out there. When you put together the big names that are in it.....

[@quadrasaurus-rex8809]

Follow the obelisks, the Jesuits pull the tricks and the masons lay the bricks. Marching straight towards the Antichrist.

[@DavidOliver_Skier]

Fascinating and well presented. Thank you.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much indeed. It is an incredible story. I had always been fascinated by the Order.

[@joanlucenasc2]

Amazing video, profesor!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much, Joan. It is such a fascinating situation. And it really seems strange to think that this historical oddity is actually becoming more normal as the international system evolves and other actors are playing a part in international relations.

[@thomasmason2812]

Thank you very much for this fascinating account. I do think that it's very interesting that a body whose legal position is (if one may put it this way) pre-Westphalian is now being replicated in our somewhat post-Westphalian system.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. It is indeed a fascinating situation. I guess I would perhaps put it slightly differently, though. It is interesting to see how a body that predates the Westphalian system is now finding a place in a world that is moving beyond the strict confines of the Westphalian system - if that makes sense!?

[@prhasn]

Excellent breakdown.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much.

[@sg_hokkien_opera]

Interesting and informative !

[@bernadette8475]

Thank you for your correct analysis on sovereignty regarding the Order of Malta since Francis interposed himself.

[@william5159]

Oh, thank you for 'determining' these things.

[@theconqueringram5295]

Interesting thing about the Order's sovereignty is that throughout most of it's history on Malta the Order wasn't much sovereign either. The Order (or Malta which it ruled) was a 'fief' of the Kingdom of Sicily, meaning that the Order had to pay some kind of tribute to the King of Sicily or provide military assistance. The Order did not declare Malta to be independent of Sicily until the 1750s and was annexed by the French by the end of the century. So the order's claim to be 'sovereign' was only true for less than 50s years while before that it was a feudal dependency of another country. One thing about the Sovereign Military Order of Malta that I find fascinating today is that it does have it's own military corps (although it's mostly medical personnel who serve closely with the Italian Armed Forces), it's own currency, postage stamps and citizenship (only 3 members of the order can be citizens, who are the Grand Master, Lieutenant Grand Master and the Chancellor). However, you are absolutely right in your assessment of the order. It is an organization in the same vein as the International Olympic Committee, it's just that it's heritage as a former sovereign country lives on to this day. That's is, to me, what the SMOM really is, a non-governmental organization with it's own unique heritage.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much for such an excellent point. I did want to cover this question of its historical claim to sovereignty, but the video would have become too long. You are absolutely right! There is a case to say that it wasn't even a state when it controlled Malta. I sort of allude to this at the end of the video when I note even its claim to full territorial sovereignty when it controlled the island has been open to question. So glad we agree on its status in the world. I think most scholars who have looked at it from a legal perspective, and the few who have done from an politics/IR background, have broadly reached the same conclusion. It may be amusing to think of it as a state, but it really isn't. It's a *very* quirky international organisation. :-)

[@salgiardina]

1750? I am not sure about that. I believe 1530-1798 the island was owned by Sicilian crown , under Spanish crown.

[@vincentciliberti5026]

I found your expose' very interesting indeed The four criteria elements in order that he international community recognises statehood are mentioned in your video. What I find perplexing is the the Order's sovereignty, which is subject to the sovereignty of Rome's Catholic Church (Witness the year as recent as 2017 @5.40). Incidentally I am Maltese and the video says "...in 1814 Malta came under British rule - remaining a British colony until it became independent..." Be it known that island of Malta was never conquered by the British, but it was the local population that asked the British for assistance during the times when the French occupied the island. Colonies are "won" or "conquered". Finally, I have to say that the Order seemed, and still seems to be avant garde considering the status it had enjoyed for years while t took years for international organisations to recognised as such. Thank you again

[@denbolo3347]

Well what about that. I found this after reading your Cyprus papers a month ago. Quite the coincidenxe

[@JamesKerLindsay]

DEn Bolo Thanks! :-) Hope you found the Cyprus writings useful. I’m hoping to do more on Cyprus here as well.

[@KM-di8zl]

Thank you !

[@clujart]

Greate video, do you have one about the OSMTH templier knight?

[@tylerspunucious7420]

I came into this video saying "Please let there be a country without territory", but I left disappointed. You're right. Anyway, thanks for educational content.

[@MartintheMetalhead]

I went there in Dec 2017 and made a vlog of my visit

[@greatwolf5372]

Can you make a video about European institutions? As an American I have been trying to learn more about European politics since Brexit but find the various institutions and the connections between them, confusing. Like the Council of Europe, European Council, Council of the European Union, European Court of Justice, European Court of Human Rights etc. The names are all too similar yet the institutions are very different.

[@soundmind9772]

If the Order of Malta entered into a treaty with a sovereign state to purchase a portion of its territory (such as the Alaska Purchase), would the Order then resume its status as a state (assuming the territory acquired had a permanent population that submitted to its sovereignty)?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

I have to say that you are a strange chap. I have openly criticised British policy here. I’m not sure why you seem to feel that I can’t or won’t. Try to at least be constructive, or perhaps find another channel for your odd views.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Sorry. I missed this at the time. The answer is, it depends. If it merely buys the land, then no. If the country in question ceded its sovereignty to the Order, then yes. It would become a state. International law permits states to give up part of their territory. That’s a key element if sovereignty. You can essentially do as you please with your territory. (Although limits have emerged as to what you can do on that territory.)

[@soundmind9772]

@@JamesKerLindsay I agree with you, but you can criticize and still be biased. And it's not wrong or bad to be biased.

[@soundmind9772]

@@JamesKerLindsay thank you so much for this answer re: cession of sovereignty. This is precisely why I believe that a better policy is to recognize proto-state governments prior to acknowledging statehood or any sovereign claim to territory. A recognized government can then appeal to the allegiance of a people in any particular territory and the people can voluntarily become members of the stateless government. Naturally, voluntary cession of territory by treaty would follow in accordance with the will of the people of that territory who have already switched their allegiance to the new government.

[@sunSherifAhmDRose1QuIST]

That Order sounds to me as if They "WANT YOUR SOUL, they don't need your body".

[@ekszentrik]

The logical next step is them regaining territory, this time in Ibiza!

[@johnf6687]

Malta lords restored honesty within government They represent over 120 countries within the round conference table to discuss humanitarian issues

[@gideonhorwitz9434]

Why does the order not just return to Malta? What’s its modern relationship to the island?

[@papapeethehunks]

What about a video on organizations like the UNPO & its members. Does this have an impact on the international community? A group of unrecognized nations banding together like the UN.

[@the.christian.gentleman]

A fascinating topic ! Just a few thoughts while listening. What current Diplomatic Missions is the order partaking in , and in what way, How come we never hear about any of them? What successes have they achieved Diplomatically in any recent years? Based on your assessment anyone with a good team of international attorneys can create their own international organization in the same fashion as the current day Order of Malta and indeed issue their own passports based their own organizational needs needs. Then there is the question of sovereignty ? Malta enjoys this sovereignty, I guess any international organization can create that as well ?

[@awesomeboy4353]

Do you think that Palestine will eventually become a member of the un

[@AO00720]

awesome boy yes they will

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. In fact, the UN considered its application in 2011 and seemed to endorse its claim to statehood. However, it's membership was blocked by the United States. (I actually touched on this in my video on 'How does a Country Join the UN?') This is the problem. Unfortunately, I don't see this changing in the near future. However, in the longer term it is certainly more than possible.

[@jjpurp-nk3zx]

I call them the Knight’s of St John? Thanks for lunch! JD

[@1973Washu]

I think that since it enjoyed sovereignty when the definition of sovereignty was different it has grandfathered sovereignty status since it existed before international law.

[@xp_studios7804]

A sovereign entity combining the weirdness of international law and the weirdness of ecclesiastical law! This makes my Catholic nerd self happy :P

[@JamesKerLindsay]

😀😂😂🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Yes, it’s a fascinating entity. But, as I note, strangely this historic relic is becoming increasingly less odd and out of place in the modern world.

[@davidniedjaco9869]

And while I don't know anything about you, and I could be wrong, I'm willing to admit that, you do seem to give off the perception that, in your view, the order is becoming less and less relevant in today's society.

[@davidniedjaco9869]

and you're happy about that

[@Deeznutz002]

It's been a self governing charity dedicated to health & welfare of pilgrims of any faith visiting the Holy lands for over a millennium.

[@tauceti8060]

Interesting video thanks,what's your opinion on the veto powers that the 5 permanent security council countries have in the UN.In my opinions it's unfair to the other countries,for instance when the UN reach a resolution about the war in Syria it was vetoed by Russia.One more example was when the majority of countries voted For the US not to move the embassy to Jerusalem but that resolution was votoed by the US.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Yes, there’s a lot of unhappiness about the veto and the way it is used. Unfortunately, I can’t see the situation changing. Of course, the P5 don’t want to see it change and will block any weakening of their powers. However, progress is also blocked by the fact that it is almost impossible for other countries to agree on other changes that might make it more representative. For example, if they tried to add a permanent member from Africa or Latin America, who would take the seat? You can just imagine the argument over whether it should be South Africa or Nigeria, or Brazil or Argentina. The current system is bad, but it seems hard to see agreement on something better.

[@user-hn2bo2pn7t]

@JamesKerLindsay thats what i understand as well from the video. I wouldn't have expected the pope to do anything less than to protect the church. It's the same reason the kings didn't allow the church to inherent the state. The templars answered to the pope then and though now times are different, With that kind of power it would be impossible for the church to put that jinn back in the bottle . But at this point it is a humanitarian organization, so why does it need that kind of power. So I wouldn't have expected the pope to do anything less. The modern world has a way of destroying good things by tempting them with power. That said I have the highest respect for pope and the knights of Malta , with the work they do as hospitalars today in Bethlehem and the Templar order in the lodges. Peace and blessings.

[@DualTheEggist]

The Order of Malta is technically the last crusader state left on earth. The Nights Templar were burned at the stake, the Teutonic Order was defeated by Poland, the Livonian Order was was attacked by the Kalmar Union and later Sweden and the Order Of The Holy Sephulchre was disbanded. This leaves The Nights Hospitaller as the last one.

[@RadikoolS]

Didn’t they rebrand and founded the Freemasons in Scotland

[@DualTheEggist]

@@RadikoolS No, they didn't.

[@wylinout2257]

It's October 2022 and they have been ordered to disband. So what does that mean or translate into?

[@timf162]

We just had a new Grand Master take office in 2022. The Order is not being disbanded.

[@vm8899]

Malta was created by the crusade knights?

[@MahatmaLevolence]

According to Who Owns The World by Kevin Cahill, the SMOM owns plenty of territory.

[@user-bh4rx8mf8g]

Indeed, but not sovereign territory: it all lies within other sovereign nation states.

[@mikeroth5518]

I have read that the Republic of Poland had no territory from 1795 to 1918, and was a government in exile from 1939 to 1990. Why is territory so important?

[@EdMcF1]

Because if you have no territory, you are, by definition on someone else's (or a boat, or in orbit) and so subject to another state.

[@ektarovladamovic7649]

im not sure if you did but can you make videos that used to exist and no longer do?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Stefan Polic Thanks so much. This is a subject that is really interesting. I did one on how countries become extinct kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5WWf3uArLd1ocU and on all the countries the United States has recognised, but no longer exist kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5zLnaSNicSLkLc I certainly plan to do more. Let me know if there are any particular cases you are interested in.

[@ektarovladamovic7649]

@@JamesKerLindsay I'm interested in Rhodesia because it seems complex and interesting, where a minority was able to essentially rule the country.

[@baydonbeddoe3098]

What about the Holy See? It is different from the Vatican City.

[@scottscottsdale7868]

Please now do the malagasy islands.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Do you mean the Comoros? If so, watch this week. That’s exactly what I’m covering! :-)

[@scottscottsdale7868]

@@JamesKerLindsay no. Although that will be interesting, I mean the sovereign dispute between Madagascar and France over uninhabited but strategically and economically important islands in the Mozambique Channel. Madagascar has claimed sovereignty since independence and got Cold War era UN resolutions in their favor. More recently France had put a military base on one of the islands but Madagascar does not recognize. The reasoning contained in the ICJ ruling regarding the Chagos Islands has a direct bearing on this territorial dispute. The power relationship is not in Madagascar’s favor sadly. A QC wrote a fantastic book on African territorial disputes arising out of decolonization and had some very interesting sections on this. More than you wanted to know and I am probably one of a handful of people on the globe who cares about this really. I cannot speak publicly about this issue for personal reasons. But it is a very interesting issue. I just found your channel as I was researching Knights of Malta. So thanks for this video.

[@ZeitgeistGaming69]

So, it's sort of a territory of the Vatican but without actual defined territory.

[@apollontv1078]

That's because includes the whole island....Malta will.be Greek again..I'm.coming back

[@elkinjohn]

What other documents can act as a passport?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Some countries will accept ID cards for travel purposes.

[@vasilzahariev5741]

Earth's equivalent to the Jedi order, although, the Jedi order is not sovereign.

[@fortiterinresuaviterinmodo5549]

"Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum"

[@TheAtlarchy]

I came here because as an Orthodox I am interested in joining tbe orthodox branch of that exact order like my orthodox Godfather did... Now I learn that it is mistaken for a state?! What?

[@karinajones1121]

Interesting.

[@assomeoneelse2275]

The world

[@RadikoolS]

Sounds like the Knights Templar to me 😅

[@Mr.McCarthyism]

I wanna join

[@JamesKerLindsay]

As a very first step, one needs to be Catholic.

[@Mr.McCarthyism]

@@JamesKerLindsay I’m catholic

[@KvapuJanjalia]

Did you forget to mention that they have military?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

They don’t. They have the word military in their title, but it’s not a military body as we would understand it. It’s a charitable organisation.

[@KvapuJanjalia]

@@JamesKerLindsay I'm not an expert or anything, I've just read Wikipedia and there is a "Military Corps" section. Confusing.

[@soundmind9772]

The Sovereign Order of Malta is simply a government-in-exile, albeit indefinitely. However, rather than pining for its lost territory it makes the best of the attributes of sovereignty that its able to exercise. This status is similar to native tribes in the United States if they weren't restricted from having diplomatic relations with foreign countries. This is referred to as quasi-sovereignty.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. But it isn’t quite like that. It doesn’t really amount to a government in exile, as such. It doesn’t have a territory it is exiled from. It accepts Malta as a sovereign state. As I said, it sits in a rather special place in international relations, but is probably best thought of as an international organisation.

[@soundmind9772]

​@@JamesKerLindsay Ok, perhaps the status 'in-exile' is misleading, but it's not necessarily false. It never recovered from being exiled at one time, and more importantly, it's still a government. Many of the federally recognized quasi-sovereign U.S. tribes are in a kind of 'domestic exile' and have accepted the United States as a sovereign state as well, despite its questionable (and rapidly disintegrating) legitimacy and imperfect title over US territory acquired largely by conquest. 'International organization' is also a misnomer because that implies a 'multinational' or 'intergovernmental' organization, or more precisely, an organization having multiple states as parties. The Sovereign Order of Malta is most definitely a stateless GOVERNMENT with as much of a legal personality as any state government. If the world would recognize it precisely as such, then perhaps others may realize that international recognition can indeed be independent of, and PRECEDE state recognition, the practice of which would make the processes of revolution, secession and even legitimization much easier because international recognition and diplomatic relations with proto-state government authorities could ultimately PRECEDE state formation and even facilitate financial, humanitarian, and security assistance from existing states and international organizations in full compliance with international law. The risk of violating the principle of territorial integrity through recognition of a new government would be virtually eliminated. Referendums could be held for the purpose of gaining additional legitimacy from the populations presumably seeking to be governed by a new internationally-recognized government. The final step - establishment of exclusive control over actual territory - would then fulfill the final criterion for statehood, which would be much smoother with international recognition and legitimization already in place. Stateless governments would also be unrestricted by international law otherwise applicable to recognized states, while such governments would be bound by 'treaties' with the states that chose to grant early recognition. Whether we like it or not, this is the future of statehood and the Sovereign Order of Malta informs us that government-to-government relations are a prerogative of states but not exclusive to states. Imagine if Facebook, Apple, Google and/or Amazon decided to form one or more stateless 'governments' that were able to successfully gain international recognition from Russia, China and now possibly even France, then granting voluntary 'citizenship' to people in various pseudo-states and their political subunits based on meeting certain criteria. Virtually unquestioned authority and direct democracy could subsequently facilitate the legitimate and peaceful assumption of exclusive authority and effective control over almost any territory in the world in perfect accordance with the will of the people while in direct defiance of existing regimes, with full transparency and cooperation from key members of the security council and other allies within the international community. State allies could even share the responsibility for exercising certain aspects of sovereignty, such as the issuance of travel documents to diplomats or citizens, during the time in which the new sovereign was not yet a state. Such a path to statehood seems to make more sense than the conventional methods involving rogue insurgents seizing control over territory by force with illegal clandestine support from existing states, then struggling to gain legitimacy from subjugated peoples through coercion and propaganda, and finally building alliances within the international community based on obligation, mistrust and/or intimidation.

[@ian2372]

So what you are really saying is the Order of Malta, Knights Hospitaller, need to crusade and reconquer their last homeland of Malta. The anti sovereignty flag of the EU behind you tells us all we need to know.

[@ThomasDeLello]

Did they invent Malted Milk...?

[@Chicagosfinest45]

Seems they shouldn’t be granted sovereignty tbh

[@iam_dameechi]

What can African Americans do to claim their own sovereignty as such as the knights of Malta 🇲🇹

[@jm52995]

The true owners of Jerusalem

[@sunSherifAhmDRose1QuIST]

Could you please compare the connection between the symbols coat of arms / the flag of : Kingdom of Denmark (Glücksburgs) Sovereign Military Order of Malta Savoy House Red cross symbol of KKK Volhynia (Ukraine) Samaritans ?

[@mansamusa7719]

The original were the Knights Hospitallers. Yes, you can call them MODERN CRUSADES.

[@nathan_abela]

The Order doesn't have land? Ooo my, little do you know what the Knights were actually up to whilst distracting the entire known world with 'losing' at Rhodes and the 'siege' of Malta... I can guarantee you, to this very day, you'd visit Central America and someone will smile at you in the name of the Order whilst affording a bumflush.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

It may own land. It doesn’t have sovereign control over that territory. There’s a huge difference in international law.

[@deusvult9379]

DEUS VULT

[@megalosaurusstudios2]

Just give there lands back pls

[@music0326]

They are a secret society that 'royals' or rather pretend royals belong to. Whoever does not serve Jesus Christ serves Satan. In the Bible it warns in Proverbs 6:12-19: A naughty person, a wicked man, Walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, He teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; He soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; Suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things doth the LORD hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.

[@hshprincessmaureenpetrucci4607]

Military Order of Malta is not Sovereign..

[@lesguil4023]

Malta was not given by the kingdom of Sicily but by the king of Sicily who was the king and emperoe of the Spanish empire Carlos V for the simbolic price of a falcon. Glory to the moral catholic empire of Spain, sun of humanity, defender of christiandom.

[@bikingcopenhagen4068]

freemasons,templars, jews ....

[@ExileTheKnightsOfMaltaNow]

Their Roman diplomatic International immunity is nothing more than a criminal license

[@fabriziobozzato5289]

An "oddity" which entertains diplomatic relations with 112 states + the EU, enjoys Permanent Observer status at the UN (just like the Holy See), and issues biometric passports which are fully ICAO9303 compliant. Plus, Heads of State, Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers of states which have diplomatic relations with the Order perform official visits to the Grand Magistry. In sum, the Order is a sovereign entity with international public law subjectivity, recognized as sovereign by the UN and treated as equal by 112 states and the EU. In the face of the Montevideo Convention. ;)

[@papapeethehunks]

What about a video on organizations like the UNPO & its members. Does this have an impact on the international community? A group of unrecognized nations banding together like the UN.

[@philmccracken7520]

You fail to to understand that Sovereign Military Order Of Malta still lays claim to Malta itself , a Claim that after fall of France and final peace treaty in 1815 UK was suppose to hand back Malta and never did so .