Here's a crude try at what I mean - no absolute z-axis placement, just relative placement. I'm sure it would come across better with the kind of subtle shading you've done instead of my heavy-handed approach.
Click image for larger version. 

Name:	3-DStarChart.jpg 
Views:	128 
Size:	53.7 KB 
ID:	39573

In general, the yellow nation is above the blue one. There's two blue stars at the same 'altitude' - spot them?