In an interview with Bret Hayworth just published in The Sioux City Journal U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, says al-Qaeda has been rendered ineffective and that the U.S. is near victory.

Making his sixth trip to Iraq since the March 2003 U.S. invasion, Iowa 5th District Congressman Steve King said there is such strong improvement in security that terrorist group al-Qaeda has been rendered ineffective.

King was last in Iraq in July 2007, and this morning said he’s now seeing “a stark contrast” in security following the 2007 U.S. troop surge. King said “we are on the cusp of a victory,” but it’s still to early to declare victory, he added.