"If you are Iraqi, you know who I am... and you know that I do not tire. I am the president of Iraq and I refuse to answer these questions because this court is illegitimate"

This quote, credited to Saddam Hussein, reflects a moment of defiance and denial during his trial following his capture in 2003. This declaration can be translated on several levels, checking out styles of legitimacy, identity, power, and resistance.

Firstly, the phrase "If you are Iraqi, you know who I am" highlights Saddam Hussein's acknowledgment of his own prestige and previous position of power. For numerous Iraqis, Saddam was a central figure for years, dominating the nation's political landscape with his authoritarian rule. His assertion suggests that his identity and his influence on Iraqi society are indisputable, which his tradition is deeply ingrained in the national consciousness.

Second of all, the declaration "I am the president of Iraq" is an assertion of legitimacy and authority, despite the truth that he was deposed in 2003. By referring to himself as the president, Saddam is clinging to his previous function and the authenticity that featured it, refusing to acknowledge the brand-new political realities of Iraq post-invasion. It speaks to his denial of the changes that have actually happened because his ousting and suggests a steadfast rejection to give up the identity of ruler that he held for so long.

The expression "I refuse to respond to these questions because this court is invalid" indicates Saddam's view that his trial was a political setup, orchestrated by his opponents rather than a genuine judicial process. It points to his understanding of the court as a tool of the foreign powers that got into Iraq and the new Iraqi government they supported. This reflects a broader story of resistance versus what he and a few of his fans might have considered as foreign intervention and imposition.

Overall, the quote encapsulates Saddam's defiance in the face of his changed circumstances, his denial of the improvement of Iraq's political order, and his belief in his long-lasting legitimacy and identity as the leader of Iraq, despite the fall from power and approaching judgment he dealt with.