Former U.S. Diplomat / former NSC Director / Davidson grad. Tech and natsec, African affairs, Persian, trombone, birds (and most other animals)https://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3mqsa47hz4k2nAs the #MoCo primary has passed, new soligns have cropped up in the Indian Spring neighborhood of Silver Spring, Maryland. Gridlock, overcrowded schools, fewer green space, loss of "neighborhood character." My updated piece with @ggwash.org: https://ggwash.org/view/104145/what-a-small-sign-can-and-cant-tell-us-about-big-developments16 Jul 2026 21:56 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqsa47hz4k2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3mmtcvqieds2sWhat do we talk an it when we talk about rezoning? I contributed a quick op-ed to @sourceofthespring.com on the facts and history behind housing density in the former "sundown suburb" I call home. https://www.sourceofthespring.com/silver-spring-news/2914667/opinion-what-a-yard-sign-in-silver-spring-can-and-cant-tell-us-about-zoning/27 May 2026 10:38 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmtcvqieds2shttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3mmpcgh6bac2yI started seeing these signs on the way to and from the #SilverSpring Y a few weeks back. They - and the survey they link to - bring up misleading and antiquated arguments against higher-density housing. @ggwash.org @themocoshow.bsky.social @sourceofthespring.com https://www.reddit.com/r/MontgomeryCountyMD/s/bNF7oGBthY25 May 2026 20:19 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmpcgh6bac2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3mjphhdgf3c2wOn a flight back from Mexico City, someone brought their own, uncut tortilla chips (?) as a carry-on. That's dedication to authenticity!17 Apr 2026 17:33 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjphhdgf3c2whttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3mj6h6xe7es2cProject Hail Mary but for lanternflies. Please. Before it's too late.10 Apr 2026 23:14 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj6h6xe7es2chttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3miwqyake7225The war in #Iran might produce the ultimate irony. It could make Iran's most hardline elements more determined to seek a nuclear weapon. But this isn't your classic "two weeks away story." https://www.newamerica.org/insights/the-worst-future-in-iran-and-how-to-stop-it/07 Apr 2026 21:47 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3miwqyake7225https://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3mirmvyevyc2jSo I should just stay off planes, huh, #united?05 Apr 2026 20:51 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mirmvyevyc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3mi3dm6fsoc2uGiggles erupted in my flight as passengers read their #United app update. "Less delayed" is a new one for me! (Flight number and destination scrambled for reasons.) [contains quote post or other embedded content]28 Mar 2026 00:06 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi3dm6fsoc2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3mi3avqcs7c2ePilot on #United flight at #IAD said there was a(nother) report of smoke at the Warrenton (likely Potomac TRACON) facility. Full WAS ground stop. Second time in as many weeks. [contains quote post or other embedded content]27 Mar 2026 23:18 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi3avqcs7c2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3m4yvpbvej22yWatching Ace Ventura with my daughter when I realize... Jim Carrey impressions were our 6-7.07 Nov 2025 01:15 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4yvpbvej22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3lzywmzrz2s24Two years ago, Russia was THE hot threat in Africa. It was ascendant from the Red Sea to the Atlantic: basically running CAR; propping up coups in the Sahel; importing supplies through Guinea; arming civil wars in Libya and Sudan; and plotting to kill the leader of Chad. https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/russias-ambitious-plans-in-africa-are-unraveling-f151906d29 Sep 2025 21:16 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzywmzrz2s24https://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3lzylfe4xg22zDigging through some family records. A relative shared this pic from the Chicago Sun Times in 1963. My great uncles (at left) led a dairy farmer's protest against low milk prices. This pic shows them in heated debate with the Pure Milk Association.29 Sep 2025 17:55 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzylfe4xg22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3lzwmxz7mg222I'm not sure how much parenting you're supposed to do via #DnD, but it sure isn't zero.28 Sep 2025 23:18 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzwmxz7mg222https://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3lzw2wnrzhc2nI'm taking my first trip to #Luxembourg next week. Why is that important? 170ish years ago, my family fled poverty in their homeland to seek a new life in America. I'll share what I learn about their journey and what has changed in both countries since then. But I'd love to hear more before I go!28 Sep 2025 17:55 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzw2wnrzhc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3lkldku7ttk22I’m resigning this week, after nearly 17 years at the State Dept. It was a very difficult decision, but I’m confident it will give my family more stability and time together. While I’ll miss my colleagues and the hard work we’ve done toward protecting our nation, I’m excited for what lies ahead. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tbnpetit_im-resigning-from-the-us-department-of-activity-7307349578234617856-UwOG?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAC0-ROgBYcs3I3oBi4JdvsoTTA-YvxEFSFg17 Mar 2025 14:12 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkldku7ttk22https://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3lf3i7bwjr22mHappy snow day to all who celebrate.06 Jan 2025 15:47 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3lf3i7bwjr22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3lezkzbbvhk2oCorny - but endearing - announcement from Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ouFWoOTwBag05 Jan 2025 21:32 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3lezkzbbvhk2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3ldisa3kqek2gMy 8yo has made her first meme. Why her computer teacher took an actual picture of the screen and printed it, I do not know.17 Dec 2024 12:00 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldisa3kqek2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3lbb6u74d4225Me watching y'all, just happy to be here.19 Nov 2024 00:35 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbb6u74d4225https://bsky.app/profile/mattpetit.bsky.social/post/3law4dqal3k2kDoes anyone know this dapper gentlecat I saw in Capitol Hill (DC)?14 Nov 2024 14:50 +0000at://did:plc:w5o7a4rdpoj2u7dl6ujgelmk/app.bsky.feed.post/3law4dqal3k2k