The extraction of the parameters that control flavor violation (the CKM matrix in the SM) depends critically on the knowledge of a large set of hadronic parameters whose model independent calculation requires handling of non-perturbative QCD. For each of these parameters, the lattice-QCD community has recently provided calculations for which every source of uncertainty is addressed and estimated (most noticeably every result is obtained using 2+1 dynamical sea fermions). In this talk I address the proper way to utilize lattice results and discuss the 2-3 sigma tension in the so-called unitarity triangle fits of the CKM matrix. I will also discuss some theoretical issues that arise in the interpretation of semileptonic b->(u,c) decays and present a possible way forward in view of future super-B experiments.