VEHICLE-T v2.0: A Universal Scoring Protocol for Measuring Global Tension Through Layered Causal Analysis

efined Scientific Description — VEHICLE-T v2.0 This paper introduces VEHICLE-T v2.0, an operational and reproducible scoring protocol designed to quantify global systemic tension across geopolitical, economic, and hybrid conflict environments. Building upon the initial VEHICLE-T framework, this version formalizes the model into a fully measurable and structured system, defined through explicit variables, standardized scoring criteria, and normalization procedures that enable consistent application across diverse scenarios. The methodology decomposes global tension into four core components: Primary Action Reactive Discount Disproportional Penalty Narrative Amplification Each component is evaluated on a 0–10 scale, supported by evidence-based criteria, source attribution, and documented justification, ensuring transparency, traceability, and auditability of the analytical process. The model introduces a normalized Global Tension Index, bounded between 0 and 1, enabling coherent comparison across events, regions, and temporal sequences. This normalization allows the framework to function as a cross-context analytical instrument, rather than a case-specific model. In addition, VEHICLE-T v2.0 establishes a set of structural methodological requirements, including: systematic source triangulation explicit justification of scoring decisions analytical separation between action and reaction treatment of narrative as a measurable and dynamic variable, rather than an assumed or absolute truth To ensure practical applicability, this publication provides a standardized scoring sheet, enabling researchers, analysts, and institutions to apply the model in real-world contexts with methodological consistency. VEHICLE-T v2.0 is designed as a domain-agnostic analytical framework, capable of evaluating a wide range of systemic conditions, including: military conflicts economic disruptions social unrest and protests sanctions and policy interventions narrative-driven and perception-based events This work represents a critical transition from conceptual modeling to operational deployment, establishing VEHICLE-T as a practical, scalable, and reproducible instrument for real-time global tension assessment.