(White House Flickr Stream)

The AP reports, "In a letter to the White House, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said while he respected Obama's authority as commander in chief, he complained that the president ordered the military into combat without clearly describing the mission and U.S. role for the American people and Congress. Boehner insisted that certain questions be answered on U.S. strategy, the cost of the operation, the continued support of coalition partners and whether it was acceptable for Gadhafi to remain in power after the military effort is over."

"I and many other members of the House of Representatives are troubled that U.S. military resources were committed to war without clearly defining for the American people, the Congress, and our troops what the mission in Libya is and what America’s role is in achieving that mission. In fact, the limited, sometimes contradictory, case made to the American people by members of your Administration has left some fundamental questions about our engagement unanswered," Boehner wrote.

Some see greater significance in the letter, which appears to be a change in strategy for the GOP.

"Given Boehner’s methodical, and deliberate messaging strategy, the questions he posed are likely to keep surfacing until sufficient answers are given to Congress," POLITICO notes, adding that the letter is a "far sharper critique of the president’s handling of the affair than Boehner has offered. It makes clear that Republicans, at least in the House, will play an oppositional role for the White House as the situation in Libya unfolds."

In the letter, Boehner asks what the administration's plans and goals are for removing Col. Muammar Gaddafi from power and questions where the money for ongoing operations in Libya will come from.

The House Speaker also cites the Obama administration's use of the words "days, not weeks" when referring to American engagement in military action in Libya.

"After four days of U.S. military action, how soon do you expect to hand control to these other nations?" he writes. "After the transition to coalition forces is completed, how long will American military forces remain engaged in this action?  If Qadhafi remains in power, how long will a no-fly zone will be enforced?"

Boehner continues, "Because of the conflicting messages from the administration and our coalition partners, there is a lack of clarity over the objectives of this mission, what our national security interests are and how it fits into our overarching policy for the Middle East. The American people deserve answers to these questions. And all of these concerns point to a fundamental question: What is your benchmark for success in Libya?"

In a press gaggle aboard Air Force One Wednesday afternoon Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes defended the administration's strategy to reporters, "[T]his intervention was taking place to prevent an imminent humanitarian catastrophe, a potential massacre of thousands if not tens of thousands of people in major population centers like Benghazi, Misurata, and other places where Qaddafi’s forces were advancing."

In response to a reporter's question on whether the intervention in Libya could be categorized as a war--something the administration has shied away from--Rhodes said, "[T]his is a military operation that will be limited in both duration and scope.  Our contribution to this military operation that is enforcing a U.N. Security Council resolution is going to be limited -- time limited to the front end, and then we’ll shift to a support role…[W]e’re enforcing a U.N. Security Council resolution.  We’re undertaking a military operation to protect the people of Libya.  But that military operation is going to be, again, limited in both time and scope, and that’s the position we took to Congress."

In a statement delivered to the public March 18, Obama outlined his reasons for getting involved in Libya and said, "Moammar Qaddafi has a choice.  The resolution that passed lays out very clear conditions that must be met. The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Arab states agree that a cease-fire must be implemented immediately. That means all attacks against civilians must stop. Qaddafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull them back from Ajdabiya, Misrata, and Zawiya, and establish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach the people of Libya."

He continued, "Let me be clear, these terms are not negotiable. These terms are not subject to negotiation. If Qaddafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences, and the resolution will be enforced through military action."