We've been reaming out the Russians for squatting on the composition of their Mystery Gas, a policy that no doubt cost lives. However, from the L.A. Times:

Despite the outcry in Russia and the demands of foreign governments, authorities have not told doctors treating the freed hostages what substance was used or the dose. The reason for not telling could be Russia's obsession with secrecy.



Or the Russians could be concerned that next time, terrorists could acquire the gas or self-administer antidotes before they attack.

Whatever the case, U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow has said that Russia's failure to disclose information on the gas may have cost lives.

If true, the Russians view the preservation of their new deterrent as more important than the lives of their own people. The operation accorded the new Russian weapon publicity and ambiguity at the same time, which could enhance its deterrence value.



The point made in the second paragraph, that identifying the gas would make it essentially useless for future operations, is so obvious and correct that I'm embarrassed that it never occurred to me while I was complaining about the secrecy.