Oh wait, South Africa is just one country. In a great many other countries, including nearly all Western countries, the warrant is still in effect. And even i

Oh wait, South Africa is just one country. In a great many other countries, including nearly all Western countries, the warrant is still in effect. And even in the South African case: the government's decision was considered quite tenuous, which is why Putin cancelled his visit, in was was considered to be a major diplomatic setback at the time. So at the end of the day -- the warrant still had significant effect, and fulfilled its purpose.