The term "alliance of independent states" typically refers to a form of political organization where sovereign states come together for mutual cooperation while maintaining their independence. A prominent example of this is the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which was formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
In such alliances, member states often collaborate on issues such as trade, security, and cultural exchange, but they typically retain their own governments and full sovereignty. This can be seen as a form of a loose confederation or federation, depending on the level of integration and cooperation established among the member states.
In summary, an alliance of independent states is generally characterized as a type of confederation or loose federation, where individual states cooperate while remaining politically autonomous.