Cosmic-ray Particles in the Galactic Center: Blowing in the Wind
  Recent results from multi-wavelength observations of the inner few hundred pc
of the Galactic center have added two new characteristics to the ISM in this
unique region. One is the cosmic ray ionization rate derived from H$_3^+$
measurements is at least two orders of magnitudes higher than in the disk of
the Galaxy. The other is the bipolar thermal X-ray and synchrotron emission
from this region, suggesting a relic of past activity. We propose that the high
cosmic ray pressure drives a large-scale wind away from the Galactic plane and
produces the bipolar emission as well as highly blue-shifted diffuse gas
detected in H$_3^+$ absorption studies. We then discuss the interaction of
large-scale winds with a number of objects, such as cloudlets and stellar wind
bubbles, to explain the unusual characteristics of the ISM in this region
including the nonthermal radio filaments. One of the implications of this
scenario is the removal of gas driven by outflowing winds may regulate star
formation or black hole accretion.
