What the war on terror has taught me | Dr Edwina Thompson | TEDxClapham

Bin Laden set out to bankrupt the American people through fear. As the Western world now rushes to crack down on the money that equips jihadists in their ruthless mission, Edwina Thompson challenges decision-makers to be strategic in the fight, and shares with the rest of us how to see things clearly when fearful of the unknown.
Edwina is a world-leading expert in threat finance and spends the majority of her time working on challenges where the public, private and non-profit sectors collide. Following frontline doctoral research, her seminal book ‘Trust is the Coin of the Realm: Lessons from the Money Men in Afghanistan’shines a rare light on the underground banking system across the Islamic world. Her mission is to help decision-makers and practitioners think differently and act decisively in the face of seemingly wicked problems.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@guyboston7743]

Inspiring to see a young woman, outside of the political field, taking up this enormous challenge. Better still it's reassuring to know its someone as capable as Edwina Thompson. Edwina is DOING exactly what she is RIGHTLY ASKING of the business and theologian community ‘we’ve had almost everyone but business people and theologians involved in what is in large part a financial and theological challenge in the War on Terror.’ Well done and thank you

[@TheEveryfield]

This is an extremely thought provoking talk whether the war on terror is currently on your radar or not. "...everyone sees life through the filter of their own very personal set of experiences. Of course, these are what make each of us uniquely special individuals. But on the flipside, they can act as a cage or set of bars that limit our view of the world, and cause us to be blinded to other people's perspectives...." - This point, as well as many others, is extremely important to remember when it comes to this situation, but I also feel can be applied to many aspects of life in general. Excellent.

[@vze7nckv]

One of the most impressive things about Edwina's dead-on insights is that she gained them from personal experience. How many TV pundits who prattle on about the WoT can say that? This should be required viewing for anyone in the US counter-terrorism industry.

[@pauljordan4661]

An outstanding insight by someone who has been there and experienced life in Kabul and Jalalabad and not just read about it in a book. I was particularly interested in your points on poppy eradication. I recall meeting with a company in 2004 in Kabul: they wanted to know my thoughts on the security arrangements while destroying the poppy fields. My response was, 'don't.' Great stuff Dr Thompson - you're a brave person with wonderful life experiences.

[@FinchittidaFinch1]

Your story and the work you are doing has left a massive mark on us. It's rare to find a strong female role model, especially one who is making a difference to wider world issues, so thank you for being the inspiration we've been looking for.

[@allisonbrown9219]

So proud of you Edwina! Looking forward to seeing and hearing more! Very thought provoking. xoxo

[@maureenfletcher8520]

Enlightening to hear another perspective that has been thought through from experience and knowledge.

[@copleston1]

Very insightful and courageous lady.

[@amks...9423]

just teach torn into pieces who wants peace

[@incognitotorpedo42]

Clearly an important talk. I wish the sound wasn't so bad so I could actually hear it...

[@hoperator]

Amazing talk.

[@olliethompson9252]

Incredible

[@frankfromupstateny3796]

I can see this woman being a "Nightly News Caster"...she actually has something to say and to teach....very intelligent.

[@annemackie-kinder3083]

Edwina. I am so proud of you. We must all listen and learn. Such a complex subject which you have made us THINK about in a different way. Heaps of love Annie and Dave xxxx

[@dahabmater9719]

Yes

[@codewizard58]

The war on Terror is aimed at preventing future deaths. There are many other preventable ways of dying which do not get the same level of press. Are there statistics on cost per terror death say vs cost per preventable deaths such as smoking, diabetes etc?

[@dredwinathompson3190]

This is true, and I have found the trade-off tool that the National Priorities Project has developed interesting for illustrating this point - www.nationalpriorities.org/cost-of/. The issue is that we still need to try our best to prevent terrorist attacks like those we've seen (e.g. against the WTCs, Pentagon, London Underground etc) which are not only devastating in terms of human cost, but also in the way they strike right at the heart of people's day-to-day lives.

[@gfhsdhable]

I feel like "war on terrorism" is counter productive there was never a huge threat until we made one,by u.s occupation we have made an anti-western hate in the middle eastern region destabilzing countries creating anarchy, trying to fix this threat of emerging terrorist groups we attack tribes of civilians where terrorist are suspected to be taking refuge killing both innocent and guilty alike and we justify these actions of killing the innocent by making propaganda which creates a gap and demonize generally peaceful muslims here in the u.s and creates a target of racist dumbfounding stereotypical actions such as the chapel hill shooting for instance.

[@dredwinathompson3190]

Hamoodie "when we fear things, we demonise what we don’t understand, fall into stereotyping, and then risk making poor judgements." - watch and spread the talk!

[@jayegregory1055]

There was a lot of new information to take in, in just 17 mins > Were your audience allowed to ask questions? I have one. Do you have > any thoughts or insights into ISIS and how the west can creatively > interrupt their money supply. J >

[@SaifUllahNasar]

This talk should be re-titled as What the WOT hasn't taught anything to Dr. Edwina; she remains a staunch white nationalist.

[@kirstinetermansen7234]

Tedx. So funny. Superficial, and low level..... So none

[@NewtralHuman]

Pretty sad that even after a PhD, the filter remains. Fortunately for average humans like me, it hardly takes a PhD to comprehend that occupation and invasion for selfish geopolitical and recklessly selfish economic advantage, will most certainly yield resistance/terrorism/blowback from at least a fragment of the native populations. These details about the money, trade, hawala system are a usual distraction to help propel personal career goals.

[@jimclarke7387]

I could not agree more.

[@jimclarke7387]

Bring culture of any kind to others though the barrel of a gun or dropping bombs is a poor way of doing it. Talking about trust after an invasion is not effective. Non engagement would be much better, and let the Afghanistan do what they think is best. When to intervene? Never!

[@johnbraithwaite1651]

Great talk. Such an interesting point about getting practical about ensuring police get paid. John Braithwaite

[@adnanzayed4663]

To add it was a Japanese Insurance company that paid for the destroyed towers. You were looking fine in your Afghani out fit .