Why the Strongman of Belarus Is Fighting for Survival

President Alexander Lukashenko faced the biggest threat to his 26-year rule in Belarus as riot police suppressed street protests in the wake of the Aug. 9 election, which critics denounced as rigged. His bid for a sixth consecutive term seemed a formality until opposition groups united behind a little-known challenger. As events unfolded, Russia, the European Union and the U.S. were jostling for influence in this strategically important country.