  We review the present status of the CKM matrix and we offer some visions of
its future. After a brief presentation of the theoretical framework for weak
decays we discuss the following topics: i) CKM matrix from tree level decays,
ii) Standard analysis of the unitarity triangle, iii) CKM matrix from rare and
CP violating K- and B-decays, iv) CKM matrix from CP violation in two-body
B-decays. In particular we compare the CKM potentials of the standard analysis
of the unitarity triangle, of the very clean K --> \pi\nu\bar\nu decays and of
CP asymmetries in B-decays.
