The Sunni uprising in Iraq has received enthusiastic support from many Persian Gulf Arabs, despite official unease over the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, branded a terrorist group by governments in the region.
While public opinion is hard to gauge in the tightly controlled gulf monarchies, the lightning success of Sunni fighters in routing Iraqi government forces has been hailed with outpourings of vindication online and in private conversation.
The strong expressions of support suggest U.S. allies like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may be pulled further from Washington, which backs the government in Baghdad.