Though the eyes of the world are clearly on the public uprisings in other nations, particularly Libya, another nation has erupted into mass protests against its regime today, demanding major reforms and improved access to services. That nation is Iraq.

Indeed despite angry threats from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki against the possible demonstrations, such protests were held nationwide today, prompting the resignations of a number of local officials and violent crackdowns by the nation’s securty forces against tens of thousands of discontented protesters from northern Kurdistan to the southern port of Basra.