Libya is facing its most severe surge in violence and conflict since Muammar Gaddafi was swept from office in 2011 with the support of U.S. air strikes. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have publicly condemned Egypt and the United Arab Emirates for launching air strikes against armed Islamist groups in Libya.

Speaking with Democracy Now! on Tuesday, Vijay Prashad — professor of international studies at Trinity College and author of Arab Spring, Libyan Winter — discusses the legacy of U.S. intervention in Libya and the current outlook of the country's spreading crisis.