Jeremy Sherlick

CFR Staff

Jeremy Sherlick

Director, Video

Jeremy Sherlick produces and manages visual stories, videos, and podcasts for the Council, illuminating urgent stories for wide audiences. He is a four-time Emmy Award winner specializing in video and immersive storytelling. He has experience in documentaries, television, animation and special effects. Jeremy has a BA in anthropology from the University at Buffalo and an MFA in film production from the USC's School of Cinematic Arts.

Politics and Government

The Changing Role of Foreign Policy at the U.S. National Conventions

The quadrennial U.S. presidential nominating conventions often focus on domestic themes. But they have at times been flavored by global economic concerns and national security threats, offering competing Democratic and Republican visions about the United States’ role in the world. In the 2024 race, Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, and his challenger, Vice President Kamala Harris, are projecting starkly different worldviews.

Timeline by Jonathan Masters, Kevin Lizarazo and Jeremy Sherlick August 26, 2024
Iraq

The Iraq War

In March 2003, U.S. forces invaded Iraq vowing to destroy Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and end the dictatorial rule of Saddam Hussein. When WMD intelligence proved illusory and a violent insurgency arose, the war lost public support. Saddam was captured, tried, and hanged and democratic elections were held. In the years since, there have been over 4,700 U.S. and allied troop deaths, and more than one hundred thousand Iraqi civilians have been killed. Meanwhile, questions linger over Iraq's fractious political situation.

Timeline by Zachary Laub, Kevin Lizarazo and Jeremy Sherlick December 1, 2022
Greece

Greece's Debt Crisis Timeline

Timeline by James McBride, Kevin Lizarazo and Jeremy Sherlick October 28, 2022
Energy and Environment

Ecological Disasters

Industrial disasters around the world, many involving multinational corporations, have caused significant health, environmental, and economic damages. Such tragedies have also led to lengthy legal challenges and prompted new global regulations.

Timeline by Brianna Lee, Kevin Lizarazo and Jeremy Sherlick October 21, 2022
Japan

Last Days of Imperial Japan

Japan experienced unparalleled destruction by U.S. military forces during World War II, resulting in its complete capitulation. Washington played a decisive role in Tokyo’s postwar transition and reconstruction, but the legacy of Japan’s imperial wartime actions continues to be a source of tension with its Asia-Pacific neighbors.

Timeline by Eleanor Albert, Kevin Lizarazo and Jeremy Sherlick July 20, 2022
Energy and Environment

Oil Dependence and U.S. Foreign Policy

The United States’ dependence on oil has long influenced its foreign policy. U.S. oil development spans three major periods: the rise of oil as a commodity, beginning in 1850; the post–World War II age of geopolitical competition; and the post–Cold War era of deregulation and diversification. Most recently, Russia’s war with Ukraine has aggravated geopolitical tensions and revived the debate about U.S. energy independence.

Timeline by Mohammed Aly Sergie, Kevin Lizarazo and Jeremy Sherlick June 14, 2022
Somalia

Al-Shabaab in East Africa

With brazen terrorist attacks at home and abroad, the Somalia-based Islamist insurgent group has proved resilient despite strategic setbacks in recent years.

Timeline by Claire Klobucista, Jonathan Masters, Kevin Lizarazo and Jeremy Sherlick March 31, 2022
China

Hyperventilating Over Hypersonics

Last summer, China tested a hypersonic missile that traveled through orbit. The test shocked many observers and led to widespread concern about the potential for nuclear-armed missiles that can evade detection and defense systems. The technology is not as new as it might seem, but this latest test highlights an underlying threat that the world has been living with for decades.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra November 12, 2021 Why It Matters
Nuclear Energy

The Climate for Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is critical for decarbonization in the fight against climate change. But high-profile accidents, substantial costs, and concerns about waste management have kneecapped its expansion. As the climate crisis intensifies, the world is rethinking how to use nuclear energy to tackle ambitious climate targets.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 29, 2021 Why It Matters
Mexico

Mexico

Experts argue that Mexico affects daily life in the United States more than any other country. For years, U.S. and Mexican officials have attempted to tackle immigration, trade, and security challenges, and their success has depended on cooperation. With so much at stake, Why It Matters investigates the complex relationship and the factors that threaten it.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 14, 2021 Why It Matters
Military Operations

Sexual Assault in the U.S. Military

Female service members are more likely to be sexually assaulted by a fellow member of the military than shot by an enemy combatant at war. As the reports increase, the controversial military justice system remains intact. The current policy gives commanders authority over the prosecution, often allowing perpetrators to evade accountability. The consequences are dire for survivors and the armed services at large, as the status quo undermines military readiness.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra September 30, 2021 Why It Matters
Intelligence

Spying 101

The glamour and thrill of espionage, brought to life on screen by characters such as James Bond, have long captivated imaginations. But this profession is deeply misunderstood, and it is always changing. Today, spycraft hangs in the balance as new technologies emerge and societies change.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra September 1, 2021 Why It Matters
Afghanistan War

Perspective on Afghanistan, With Richard N. Haass

In this special episode, CFR President Richard N. Haass examines the war in Afghanistan and the lessons to be learned in its wake.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Richard Haass August 19, 2021 Why It Matters
Japan

Japan’s Population Problem

The United States’ alliance with Japan is the centerpiece of U.S. security in Asia, but new demographic challenges from within Japan raise concerns about the future of the region.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra July 22, 2021 Why It Matters
Food and Water Security

Water Scarcity

Fresh water is more than just a resource, it is the source of all life. But in many arid regions of the world, water supplies are under pressure from climate change, and outdated rules and infrastructure are making the problem worse. What does the world need to know about water consumption, and how can societies build better systems for a dryer future?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra July 8, 2021 Why It Matters
Technology and Innovation

When the Microchips Are Down

Silicon chips are in almost all electronics, and access to them can make or break a country’s economic future. Their production relies on complex supply chains, and during the pandemic, the world learned just how fragile these supply chains are. Many countries, including the United States and China, are investing billions of dollars to develop the capacity to produce chips domestically, and some analysts see chip-related conflict on the horizon.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra June 23, 2021 Why It Matters
Global

Season Four Trailer

Will the world have enough water to survive in the era of climate change? Could a shortage of silicon chips eventually lead to war? Do human spies matter in the era of cyber espionage? Why It Matters is back for its fourth season, unpacking new problems and speaking with a host of new guests.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra June 16, 2021 Why It Matters
Courts and Tribunals

Leaders Facing Justice

Since 1945, many regime leaders and key figures have been brought before domestic and international courts to answer to charges including genocide and crimes against humanity, amid a larger struggle to promote and enforce the rule of law worldwide.

Timeline by Claire Klobucista, Brianna Lee, Kevin Lizarazo, Jeremy Sherlick and Mia Speier April 26, 2021
Oceans and Seas

Gone Fishing

Industrial overfishing and other man-made factors have pushed one-third of the world’s fish stocks to be threatened with extinction, and many other species are not far behind. The problem represents a serious risk to ocean biodiversity, and to large human populations that rely on fish for day-to-day survival. What can be done?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra March 18, 2021 Why It Matters
COVID-19

A Global Shot in the Arm, With Anthony Fauci

Successful vaccine rollouts in the United States and other wealthy nations have made many people hopeful that the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is in sight. But the majority of the world’s population does not yet have access to these vaccines. Without a strong global effort to immunize everyone, new variants could tighten the pandemic’s grip on rich and poor countries alike.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Anthony S. Fauci, Richard Haass and Tidjane Thiam March 3, 2021 Why It Matters
Currency Reserves

The Dollar Privilege

The dollar is the world’s primary reserve currency, accounting for $6.7 trillion in foreign reserves. This has given the United States what some have called “an exorbitant privilege,” allowing it to borrow easily and to levy painful sanctions. But could it lose this status?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra February 18, 2021 Why It Matters
Terrorism and Counterterrorism

‘The Most Persistent and Lethal Threat’

For years, security experts have warned that white nationalist and white supremacist extremism represent the most significant domestic terrorism threat to the United States. Now, in the wake of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the country seems to be gaining clarity about the seriousness of the situation for the first time. How did we get here, and what can be done?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra February 3, 2021 Why It Matters
Russia

Russia

There is no country quite like Russia. Despite having a relatively small economy, it has been able to maintain global influence through a range of unconventional tactics. How has Vladimir Putin played his country’s weak hand so effectively? And what is his goal?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra January 19, 2021 Why It Matters
China

China’s Starring Role in Hollywood

What does it take to make a Hollywood blockbuster? Movie stars? A great script? How about approval from the Chinese government? In this episode, two guests explore the surprising role of Chinese censorship and oversight in the production of U.S. films and ask what’s at stake as their presence increases.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra January 6, 2021 Why It Matters
Sub-Saharan Africa

The Future Is African

Projections show that by 2050, Africa’s population will double. By 2100, one in three people on Earth will be African. This means that, by the end of the century, sub-Saharan Africa—which already has an extraordinarily young population—will be home to almost half of the young people in the world. In this episode, two experts examine whether Africa’s youth boom will be a blessing or a curse.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra December 11, 2020 Why It Matters
Brazil

A Climate Bomb in the Amazon

The Brazilian Amazon is burning, threatening the world’s largest repository of biodiversity. If the fires are not controlled soon, they could release a “climate bomb” of stored carbon that would accelerate climate change.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra November 24, 2020 Why It Matters
Health

Let’s Talk About Toilets

Fifty-five percent of the global population lacks access to safe sanitation, a deadly global health disparity that rarely finds its way into the spotlight. In this episode, we examine the scope of the problem, and the cultural challenges that have made it surprisingly difficult to fix.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra November 11, 2020 Why It Matters
United States

Make America Vote Again

The United States trails far behind most advanced democracies when it comes to voter turnout, with just 55 percent of eligible voters participating in the 2016 election. What are other countries doing right, and what is the United States doing wrong?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 28, 2020 Why It Matters
Global

Season Three Trailer

What happens when the world runs out of fish? Does TikTok actually present a national security risk? Will Africa's population boom change the world as we know it? In season three, Why It Matters explores a new series of challenges that are gathering on the horizon.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 14, 2020 Why It Matters
Transnational Crime

Treasures Looted in War

Works of art and cultural heritage sites are common casualties in war. In many cases, the sale of plundered treasures has helped finance ongoing conflict. In this episode, two experts examine the history of conflict-driven looting. Along the way, they trace the opaque, unregulated international art market that allows irreplaceable treasures to travel from strife-torn regions to the catalogues of prestigious auction houses.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra August 25, 2020 Why It Matters
Education

Why We Need International Students

For decades, international students have enjoyed bipartisan support in the United States, with strong consensus that they fuel American innovation, job creation, and competitiveness. But in recent years, their access to U.S. colleges and universities has come under threat, and other nations are seizing the opportunity to bring in the world’s brightest students.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Edward Alden and Esther Brimmer August 12, 2020 Why It Matters
Climate Change

Pricing Our Climate

As the effects of climate change move from scientific predictions to daily headlines, some investors have begun sounding the alarm about impending dangers to financial markets. In this episode, experts break down the intersection of climate change and the economy, and examine whether the persuasive power of the dollar can be leveraged in the fight for climate action.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Kate Mackenzie and Michael Greenstone July 29, 2020 Why It Matters
Olympics

Hey, Remember the Olympics?

Hosting the Olympics is a monumental undertaking that often leaves behind rusted stadiums and financial losses. So why do nations compete to do it? This episode examines the political history of the games, and the soft power that countries hope to gain by hosting them.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Jules Boykoff July 15, 2020 Why It Matters
Political History and Theory

Living in History

Whether you think we are making history or repeating it, it’s safe to say we are living in a historic time. In this episode, Why It Matters asks three historians to weigh in on how to use the past to examine the present and make better choices for the future.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Richard Haass, Margaret MacMillan and Annette Gordon-Reed July 1, 2020 Why It Matters
Demonstrations and Protests

The World Is Watching Us

The killing of George Floyd, the anti-racism protest movement that followed, and the Donald J. Trump administration’s response have shaken the United States and captivated the world. Why It Matters speaks with two foreign correspondents to understand how the protests are being understood abroad.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Chika Oduah and Keith B. Richburg June 17, 2020 Why It Matters
Human Trafficking

The Human Cost of Labor Trafficking

It is estimated that twenty to forty million people around the world are victims of human trafficking. Of these, the majority are trafficked for labor, and many of them are exploited in the United States.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Susy Andole, Mark P. Lagon and Anita Teekah June 3, 2020 Why It Matters
China

Exporting Authoritarianism

China is undertaking massive infrastructure projects across the world and loaning billions of dollars to developing nations. On paper, the objective is to build a vast trade network, but is China also exporting authoritarianism?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra May 20, 2020 Why It Matters
India

WhatsApp With India?

Roughly four hundred million people in India use the encrypted messaging platform WhatsApp. Now, the country’s ruling party is trying to force WhatsApp to let the government trace and censor messages. The outcome could change digital freedoms in the world’s largest democracy, and could have strong implications for the future of privacy everywhere.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra May 6, 2020 Why It Matters
Globalization

Wearing the World Out

What’s the true cost of cheap clothes? Fast fashion has become a multibillion-dollar industry in recent decades, reshaping the world’s shopping habits. But the industry’s low prices disguise a staggering environmental cost.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra April 19, 2020 Why It Matters
COVID-19

Bonus Episode: “A Medically Induced Economic Coma”

Is the coronavirus a zero-sum game in which we must choose between saving lives and saving the economy? In this episode, we sit down with two experts to find out.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra April 8, 2020 Why It Matters
Global

Season Two Trailer

Is China exporting its authoritarian model to other countries? Is the “fast fashion” industry accelerating climate change? In season two, Why It Matters explores a new series of issues that are flying under the radar now, but won’t be for long.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra March 25, 2020 Why It Matters
COVID-19

Coronavirus

The worldwide spread of the new coronavirus has pulled back the curtain on the vulnerabilities of our interconnected world. Now we are left asking some basic questions. What lessons have we learned so far?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra March 11, 2020 Why It Matters
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

The One Where We Talk About NATO at a Party

You’re making the rounds at a party when someone asks you about NATO. Is it still important? The alliance is credited with preventing a third world war, but a lot of us don’t know what it is or how it works. This episode takes a look at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from the ground up, paired best with a cold drink.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra February 26, 2020 Why It Matters
Climate Change

Dimming the Sky

As climate change accelerates, some scientists are researching ways to alter our climate to slow down warming. But the method, called solar geoengineering, comes with some serious risks.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra February 12, 2020 Why It Matters
Elections and Voting

Voter, You’ve Been Hacked

The aftershocks of Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. election are still being felt today. Is the United States ready for future elections?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra January 29, 2020 Why It Matters
Technology and Innovation

Robots That Kill

Militaries around the world are designing artificial intelligence–powered weapons that could one day make their own decisions about who to target. The technology could change the scope of warfare, but at what cost?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra January 15, 2020 Why It Matters
Nuclear Energy

New Year’s Special: 2020 Hindsight

At the start of the new year, the Why It Matters team takes a look at some of the best interview segments that didn’t make it into the episodes.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra January 1, 2020 Why It Matters
Public Health Threats and Pandemics

Prescription for Disaster

Antibiotics have saved untold millions of lives, but bacteria are learning to outsmart them at alarming rates. Projections show that by 2050, ten million people could die each year from antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra December 18, 2019 Why It Matters
Space

Space Jam

Space is getting crowded. The biggest challenge is space junk—the debris that results when satellites break up or get shot down. If we aren’t careful, space junk, and space conflict, could cause a lot of problems down here on Earth.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra December 4, 2019 Why It Matters
Women and Women's Rights

STEMinism

Women and girls are excluded from career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This gender gap is causing the world to lose out on “the genius of half the population,” according to former U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra November 20, 2019 Why It Matters
China

China Doesn’t Want Your Trash

For years, China processed more than half of the world’s plastic recycling. Then, in 2018, it stopped. Things have gotten messy since then.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra November 6, 2019 Why It Matters
United States

The Big Red Button

A U.S. president can launch a first-strike nuclear attack at any time and, according to the law, does not need to seek advice first. Some experts think that’s too much power to put in one person’s hands.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Richard K. Betts October 23, 2019 Why It Matters
Global

Trailer: Why It Matters

Each episode breaks down an issue that is shaping our world’s future. Join host Gabrielle Sierra as she speaks with the leaders and thinkers who are facing these questions head on. Fueled by the minds at the Council on Foreign Relations, Why It Matters brings some of the world’s most compelling stories home to you.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 2, 2019 Why It Matters
Venezuela

Venezuela’s Chavez Era

Hugo Chávez assumed Venezuela's presidency in 1999 on a populist platform. But critics say three terms under his "socialist revolution" have made the country increasingly resemble an authoritarian state. This timeline offers a visual account of Chavez's rise to power and the impact of his presidency.

Timeline by Brianna Lee, Kevin Lizarazo and Jeremy Sherlick May 1, 2017
Iran

Crisis Guide: Iran

Iran poses steep challenges to its Middle East neighbors and the world. Explore the country’s complex regime structure and controversial nuclear program, and watch experts debate the range of policy …

by Roya Wolverson, Jayshree Bajoria, Michael Moran, Jeremy Sherlick and Hagit Ariav September 21, 2011
Pakistan

Crisis Guide: Pakistan

Pakistan’s stability is of great consequence to regional and international security. Examine the roots of its challenges, what it means for the region and the world, and explore some plausible future…

by Jayshree Bajoria, Greg Bruno, Michael Moran and Jeremy Sherlick October 7, 2010
Energy and Climate Policy

Nuclear Energy Guide

After decades of decline, nuclear power is increasingly presented as a low-carbon way to meet growing electricity demands. Global construction of new reactors is on the rise, but there still exists a…

by Charles D. Ferguson, Michelle Smith and Jeremy Sherlick February 16, 2010
Elections and Voting

2012: The Year of Elections

Elections throughout the world in 2012 brought several countries to a crossroads as they struggled with the eurozone debt crisis, the formation of post-Arab Spring governments, and recovery from econ…

by Jeremy Sherlick and Brianna Lee September 9, 2009
Economic Crises

Crisis Guide: The Global Economy

An in-depth, multimedia look at the causes and consequences of the global economic crisis that seeks to unravel the questions surrounding the downturn and shed light on its policy implications, drawi…

by Michael Moran, Jeremy Sherlick and Lee Hudson Teslik June 29, 2009
Climate Change

Crisis Guide: Climate Change

An in-depth, multimedia look at climate change, its global impact, and efforts to combat it.

by Michael Moran, Jeremy Sherlick and Toni Johnson September 3, 2008
Media

Politics and the Olympics

An interactive slideshow looking at how the Olympics have served as political showcases for nations, individuals, and ideologies.

by Jayshree Bajoria and Jeremy Sherlick May 28, 2008
International Organizations

Africa’s Conflict Zones

An interactive map examining conflict zones on the African continent.

by Stephanie Hanson and Jeremy Sherlick October 17, 2007
Israel

Crisis Guide: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

An in-depth, multimedia look at the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its geopolitical repercussions.

by Eben Kaplan, Michael Moran and Jeremy Sherlick July 19, 2007
Politics and Government

Interactive Map: Horn of Africa

An interactive map of the Horn of Africa.

by Jeremy Sherlick and Eben Kaplan May 21, 2007
Genocide and Mass Atrocities

Crisis Guide: Darfur

CFR.org’s Emmy Award-winning multimedia exploration of the crisis in Darfur and its policy implications.

by Stephanie Hanson, Michael Moran and Jeremy Sherlick April 18, 2007
Defense and Security

Crisis Guide: The Korean Peninsula

An interactive, multimedia guide to the dispute between North and South Korea.

by Jayshree Bajoria, Michael Moran and Jeremy Sherlick November 8, 2006

Iran

The Islamic Republic’s Power Centers

Who calls the shots in Iran on economic policy, security, and domestic calls for reform? A look at the government’s organization chart indicates how complicated the answer is.

by CFR.org Editors June 16, 2025

Iran

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The IRGC is one of the most powerful organizations in Iran, conceived as the principal defender of the 1979 revolution, and now a critical link to Islamist militant groups violently opposed to Israel and the United States.

by CFR.org Editors June 13, 2025

Diplomacy and International Institutions

What Does the G7 Do?

The Group of Seven (G7) has been a forum to coordinate global policy for fifty years, but experts are increasingly questioning the group’s relevance.

by CFR.org Editors June 10, 2025

Top Stories on CFR