The world's smallest republic (5)
I believe the answer is:
nauru
'the world's smallest republic' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for nauru that I've seen before include "Small Pacific republic" , "SW Pacific republic" , "Island country in Micronesia" , "[OCEANIA] location" , "Pacific republic, formerly Pleasant Island" .)