Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni spoke on the phone with Mustafa El Gendi, assistant chief of the Al Wafd Party, member of the People’s Parliament and coordinator of the Public Diplomacy delegation’s visit. El Gendi visited Uganda a few days ago and met with Museveni to discuss the Nile water.

Hungary has taken the rotating presidency of the European Union at a hugely important moment. Having been the UK’s Europe Minister during Britain’s last EU Presidency in 2005, I have some experience of the hard, diplomatic work involved.

The Egyptian transitional gov¬ernment has invited President Yoweri Museveni to address Egyptians at Tahrir Square in Cairo. It was in this square that Egyptians pitch-camped to set in motion a revolution that toppled president Hosni Mubarak.

Anyone attempting to visit the United States as a student, businessman or tourist knows that getting a visa can take weeks or months, and involve several visits to a U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. officials say they are aware of the need to improve visa and other services for visitors, and that they are making concerted efforts toward that end.

Yet while last week's cuts failed to do much about the deficit, they could do serious damage to U.S. foreign policy. On Tuesday, the axe fell: The State Department and foreign operations budget was slashed by $8.5 billion -- a pittance when compared to military spending, but one that could put a serious dent in the United States' ability to positively influence events abroad.

Experts in Afghanistan say a softer line the Taliban is taking on issues like education and reconstruction projects is a tactical ploy to win broader popular support. A Taliban leader was recently quoted by Afghan media outlets as saying the movement was not opposed to education and would protect schools in areas they controlled.

In the context of the Libyan civil war and unfolding revolutions across the Arab region, Turkey is stepping up efforts to make its mark as a role model and diplomatic broker. EurActiv Turkey contributed to this article.