How can I automate this? Please note I'm not too good with macros, if that's
what's required, but I like to try.

I have a list of countries in column 1 with corresponding values in column
2. I have a second spreadsheet with the same countries in column 1 and a new
set of values in column 2.

how can I have the countries in col 1 of ss 2 looked up and matched with the
countries in col 1 of ss 1 and insert the value from col 2 of ss 2 into col 3
of ss 1.

any countries where the spelling is slightly different would be marked in
red or otherwise indicated that a match was not possible (probably the
indication would be on ss 2 since that is where the failed matched country
originated from).

I can't find a function or set of functions which does this.

hopefully, this is possible and can be automated. appreciate your help.