Even Syria's ruler bashar al-Assad, once the region's leading pariah, has begun to be drawn back into its embrace. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman and Iraq have all been increasing contacts with Damascus this year. Last October, Mr Bashir received the first phone call from Jordan's King Abdullah II since Syria's civil war began in 2011 -- a far cry from when he became the first Arab leader to demand Mr Assad's resignation.
