  We present a microscopic approach to quantum dissipation and sketch the
derivation of the kinetic equation describing the evolution of a simple quantum
system in interaction with a complex quantum system. A typical quantum complex
system is modeled by means of parametric banded random matrices coupled to the
subsystem of interest. We do not assume the weak coupling limit and allow for
an independent dynamics of the ``reservoir''. We discuss the reasons for having
a new theoretical approach and the new elements introduced by us. The present
approach incorporates known limits and previous results, but at the same time
includes new cases, previously never derived on a microscopic level. We briefly
discuss the kinetic equation and its solution for a particle in the absence of
an external field.
