storm center

plural storm centers

1. figurativelyA central place of great activity and importance.

   After the close of the War of 1914-18 the storm-centre of international affairs, which for the past half-century had hovered over the Near and Middle East and for the previous four centuries over Central Europe, had apparently shifted to the Pacific area.

   1926, Survey of International Affairs, page 392

   2 more examples

   The storm center of lawlessness in every American State is the State Capitol. It is there that the worst crimes are committed; it is there that lawbreaking attains to the estate and dignity of a learned profession; it is there that contempt for the laws is engendered, fostered, and spread broadcast.

   1910 October 20, Henry Louis Mencken, “On Lawlessness”, in The Evening Sun

   It doesn't look like HE spends his days on a poker newsgroup attempting to convince half a dozen people that he really is a lawyer, really has clients, really practices law, and doesn't pretend that the condo he bought 30 years ago for $200,000 is the storm center of a powerhouse legal practice.

   2022 May 4, risky biz, “Another Vancouver hate crime?”, in rec.gambling.poker (Usenet)