Hitchens was and is a hero to many for his sharp rhetoric and slugger-like style, with which he at first criticized the US from a leftist, anti-imperialist pers

Hitchens was and is a hero to many for his sharp rhetoric and slugger-like style, with which he at first criticized the US from a leftist, anti-imperialist perspective, then all religion (but particularly Catholicism and Islam) from an anti-theist perspective, which led him to support the regime change policies in Iraq and other (Islamic) countries, viewing Islamism as a principal threat that supersedes almost anything else. Against this background it should not come as a surprise that he is a highly divisive and controversial character. I don't think anyone should expect a reasonable and balanced discussion about him on the internet, as the thread here would indicate. As for "why Hitch still matters" (for others than those who side with him in controversy): this is not entirely clear from The Fine Article. It likely should not be taken as much more than an eloquent blurb with the intent of selling the anthology.