History & Society

For centuries, the ancient city of Istakhr (also spelled Estakhr, Stakhr, or Istakhar) stood as one of the most influential political, religious, and cultural centers of Persia. Although overshadowed today by the nearby ruins of Persepolis, Istakhr played a remarkable role in preserving Persian identity during some of the most turbulent periods of Persian history.

Pasargadae is more than an archaeological site—it is the birthplace of the Persian Empire and a symbol of one of history's greatest civilizations. Nestled in the fertile plains of southern Iran, this ancient city represents the vision of a ruler whose influence reached from Central Asia to the Mediterranean. Founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE, Pasargadae became the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire and remains one of the world's most significant cultural heritage sites.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) plays a central role in the protection of cultural, historical, and archaeological heritage worldwide. Membership in UNESCO entails legal and moral obligations, particularly with regard to the safeguarding of cultural property during armed conflict. Israel’s formal withdrawal from UNESCO in 2019 has raised significant concerns among scholars and international observers, especially regarding the consequences of this decision for the preservation of cultural heritage in conflict-affected regions such as Iran and Syria.

Nestled beneath the green slopes of the Alvand Mountains in western Iran lies one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world: Ecbatana, an ancient metropolis that once served as the capital of the Median Empire and later became a favored royal residence of Persian kings. Today, the remains of this remarkable city are found in modern-day Hamadan, where layers of history spanning nearly three millennia continue to fascinate archaeologists, historians, and travelers alike.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, Israel has witnessed one of the largest waves of immigration in its modern history. Over one million Russian-speaking Jews migrated to Israel, fundamentally transforming the country’s social, cultural, and political landscape. Today, Russian Zionists constitute one of the most influential demographic groups in Israel, shaping its identity, domestic policies, and foreign relations—particularly with Russia.