Focus our study

People won't know about the other countries, and can't assess their own knowledge comparatively. I think that Ian's comment about us having unique defence concerns is valid - yet - other countries have dynamic security environments as well. The UK is responsible for its overseas territories, Iraq, and UN commitments - as is France and other European countries. Australia's size and location require much funding. Canada's situation is offset by the US military budget, one of the largest in the world. We do have a more difficult country that is geographically complicated to defend. We do however, have the world's sole military hegemon covering a lot of our load.

Personally, I see the other GDP's (and the fact certain countries there are fighting alongside Canadians in Afghanistan) make it a valid addition to the question.