Republic of Minerva lives on.....

[HueyLong]

Lets handwave the Republic of Minerva into staying alive for a while. Maybe a little cold war among the recognised claimants, where they allow the microstate to survive only to avoid pushing the issue?

Obviously, this Republic would get in trouble once it tried to get international recognition, and I think an almost-Taiwan type setup would be rather funny.

So, how long would Minerva survive after the initial heat? When does it fall?

[Max Sinister]

It falls when its foundations rot away? I don't know, but a state without any land territory makes no sense.

[HueyLong]

What foundations? They made an artificial isdland on top of coral by laying down tons of sand. They piled sand on the reef, and I believe added some superstructure (not sure about that). That doesn't really rot easily, and even if it did, it wouldn't be hard to refurbish.