buffer state vs buffer country

buffer state and buffer country both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
buffer state	Yes	No	No	No
buffer country	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, buffer state and buffer country are synonyms defined as:

buffer state and buffer country: a small neutral state between two rival powers

buffer state (noun)	buffer country (noun)
a small neutral state between two rival powers	a small neutral state between two rival powers