How is Stalin like Machiavelli?

he is the very definition of a machiavellian ruler, in my opinion. he followed all of Machiavelli's advice-he destroyed his enemies utterly (via gulags), built the world's most powerful military, annexed countries to protect Russia's borders, won power and kept power through the people, not nobles (or the equivalent), established himself as the rightful heir to the control of the USSR-portrayed himself (if falsely) as a good friend of Lenin's and exiled his main opponent, trotsky. further, he emerged as the savior of the USSR by exacting revenge on the Germans. so yes, he is Machiavellian.