Successor to Stalin in 1937?

Yes, it was more than hedging one's bets. Modern historians agree he did know a war was more likely than not, but saw Britain as unready for it so he needed to buy time as we rearmed.
In the process arming some 40 Germans divisions with Czechoslovak weapons, dissolving Little Entente and basically pushing Romania into German fold. I am not sure if his math was so good.
 
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