A series of secret contacts between Turkey and Israel has raised anticipation that the two countries are gearing up to mend fences, and while the process is not likely to be smooth and easy, it holds the promise of geostrategic gains for both countries.

The behind-the-scenes dialogue was apparently initiated by Ankara about two months ago with intelligence chief Hakan Fidan at the vanguard of the effort, as Al-Monitor reported in late November. Following Fidan’s initial contacts with Israel in October, Ankara sent other officials to Israel for exploratory talks on a roadmap for normalization, sources in Ankara told Al-Monitor.

The Turkish government seems to finally recognize that its belligerent foreign policy is not sustainable, neither in terms of military and economic might nor of institutional capacity. Government supporters may laud that policy as a sign of Turkey’s growing influence and self-reliance, but it has clearly thrown Turkey into a risky loneliness.

News broke Dec. 9 that Ankara had silently selected a new ambassador to Israel. Ankara’s choice for the critical post — Ufuk Ulutas, a pro-government think-tanker with no diplomatic experience — triggered widespread criticism at home as yet another confirmation of how political loyalty to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has come to outweigh professionalism and merits in the state apparatus. Moreover, it remains unclear whether Ulutas will actually go to Tel Aviv before Israel appoints an ambassador to Ankara. Israel, some observers believe, may be reluctant to rush things amid its newfound rapprochement with Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates, which is at loggerheads with Turkey.