Think Up Editions

Celebrating Achievement, Remembering Suffering.

There is something deeply troubling about asking athletes to carry a political burden that we do not demand of artists, filmmakers, or musicians.
Iranian footballers did not create the circumstances under which they live. They trained for years, sacrificed countless hours, and earned their place on the world’s biggest stage. Their achievements, like those of Iran’s celebrated artists and cultural figures, belong first and foremost to the people who take pride in them.
Millions of Iranians see in these athletes a reflection of their own hopes, talents, and perseverance.
At the same time, the pain of those who have suffered loss, injustice, and tragedy must never be forgotten. Among those remembered are the 168 schoolchildren from Minab who were reportedly killed on February 28, 2026, a loss that continues to resonate far beyond the immediate tragedy.
Honoring human suffering and celebrating human achievement are not mutually exclusive. A nation is larger than politics, and its brightest accomplishments belong to its people.

#168

Victory day?

May 8, 1945, marked a decisive turning point in German history: the end of the N**i war in Europe and a moment of liberation brought about by the Allied powers, with the Soviet Union bearing an especially heavy human cost.

Against that historical backdrop, it is notable when official commemorations, including the federal press conference (BPK) of May 8, 2026, avoid explicitly naming those former liberators. The Soviet Union suffered immense losses in the defeat of N**i Germany, and that fact remains central to any honest account of the war’s end. Its omission can leave the impression of a selective historical memory.

Remembrance is never entirely neutral; it is shaped by language, politics and the priorities of the present. May 8 therefore demands precision and clarity, not only because it marks the collapse of the Third Reich, but because it continues to define the moral and political foundations of postwar Europe. To commemorate the date meaningfully is to acknowledge the full range of historical actors involved, rather than allowing difficult parts of history to recede into silence.

Poster title: „Victory day?“ 2026
Design: Lex Drewinski

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گرامیداشت سعدی شیرازی، از بزرگ‌ترین شاعران ادب فارسی، که در ایران ۲۰ آوریل (۱ اردیبهشت) به‌عنوان روز ملی سعدی گرامی داشته می‌شود، روزی برای پاسداشت میراث ادبی و انسانی اوست.

دریغا که بی ما بسی روزگار
بروید گل و بشکفد نوبهار
– سعدی شیرازی

این بیت بر برخی سنگ‌قبرهای دورهٔ صفویه در جزیرهٔ قشم، در نزدیکی سواحل خلیج فارس و تنگهٔ هرمز، دیده شده است؛ یادآور گذر زمان و ماندگاری صدای شعر در تاریخ است.

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In honor of Saadi Shirazi, one of the greatest poets of Persian literature, who is commemorated in Iran on April 20 (1 Ordibehesht) as National Saadi Day, a day dedicated to honoring his literary and human legacy.
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Alas, that many seasons will pass without us;
flowers will bloom and spring will return
– Saadi Shirazi

This verse has been found on Safavid-era gravestones on Qeshm Island, near the shores of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz; a timeless reminder of the passage of time and the enduring voice of poetry in history.
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#سعدی

Negotiating in the Fog

A fragile ceasefire, conflicting signals in ongoing talks, and unresolved core disputes continue to define the uneasy dynamic between Iran and the United States.

According to Reuters, major gaps remain on nuclear issues even as indirect negotiations proceed through third-party mediation, including Pakistan. Tehran has linked continued openness of the Strait of Hormuz to U.S. compliance with ceasefire terms, underscoring how strategic maritime access is being used as leverage in a broader confrontation.

At the same time, messaging from all sides has grown increasingly inconsistent. Official statements, leaks, and commentary often diverge or redefine terms like “ceasefire” and “agreement” depending on audience and context, making it difficult to separate confirmed commitments from negotiating positions.

In this environment, diplomacy, deterrence, and messaging are becoming harder to distinguish. Each side appears to be signaling flexibility while preserving maximum ambiguity.

The result is not only strategic uncertainty, but a widening information gap—raising a more basic question about transparency and accountability in decisions that carry long-term consequences for people in Iran.

Written by Mansoureh Rahnama
Designed by Keith Kitz

Two weeks into a US–Israel–Iran ceasefire, the region has also seen a notable increase in military activity.

While the ceasefire is officially presented as a step toward de-escalation, rising numbers of logistics flights, troop movements, and heightened readiness suggest parallel preparations for scenarios beyond its expiration.

At the same time, Iran has reportedly announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping during the ceasefire period.

Still, tensions remain unresolved, with broader restrictions and naval pressure continuing in various forms across the region.

The key question is whether this ceasefire represents a genuine step toward stability or simply a temporary window for strategic repositioning.

Design by Keith Kitz